the Time of Finding, Chapter 7
CHAP. VII. How Saints may know it is a Time of Finding.
Firſt, WHen a man findes, How a time of finding may be known. 1. When all fears are removed, and the ſpirit quiet.that all diſtractions and unquietneſſes are removed from him, and a ſweet calm breathes upon his Spirit. uPſal. 34.4, 6.I ſought the Lord (ſaith David) and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Again, This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and ſaved him out of all his troubles. What his fears and troubles were, the title of the Pſalm ſhews: David for fear of Saul, goes to Achiſh King of Gath; and being there, he is in more fear then before; Inſomuch (to ſave his life) he uſethx1 Sam. 21.10, 11, 12. &c. ſtrange geſtures, indeed not beſeeming a man, much leſs the Lords anoynted: But what doth he elſe? Inwardly his ſoul is calling upon God; and finding that all terrors and amazements were over, and his ſpirit quiet, he concludes, it was a time of finding. You ſhall ſee in time of much rain, as the waters run down the hils, they make a great noiſe, by reaſon of the rubs in their way; but no ſooner are they fallen in, and cloſed with the river, but the hiſſing is ceaſed, and all is quiet and ſtill. Oh! the unquietneſs ſometimes of a poor ſoul, by reaſon of the multitude of RƲBS; what through troubles without, and fears within, there is a ſtrange noiſe, confus'd, like the noiſe of many waters. yPſa. 6.6.I am weary with my groaning. aPſa. 69.3.My throat is dryed, all the night make I my bed to ſwim; I water my couch with tears; mine eyes fayl, while I wait for my God. Notwithſtanding all this, no ſooner is this poor trembling ſhrub fallen into the ſtream of love, and ſweetly cloſeth with it, but all casting down and diſquietneſs is over:bPſa. 27.1 Iehovah is my light and my ſalvation, for whom ſhould I fear? Jehovah is the ſtrength of my life, for whom ſhould I dread?
VVe have the like example in David another time, when Abſalom made that unnatural rebellion againſt him: at firſt, he wascPſa. 3.1. much troubled; ford2 Sam. 15 12. the conſpiracy was great, and the people multiplyed ſtill with Abſalom: but when he poured out his Soul before the Lord, he had that given in to him, as he neither feared the number which the Traytor had with him, nor the helliſh counſel which Ahitophel might give him. If a man ſhould ſee a Lyon or Bear coming fiercely againſt him, this could not but at firſt amaze him; notwithſtanding, if he ſhould perceive a place of ſafety by him, and run to it, and ſee himſelf in it; now he would fear no more. The malice and wrath of Perſecutors, their threatnings, baniſhment, impriſonment, ruine of families, and killing the body, doth at firſt ſtartle and affright a good man; but having been with the Lord, and graciouſly found him, he fears not what any Tyrant can do, cares not for his big words and ſtout looks; for he ſees the Tyrant bound, and knows the Lord will not unchaine him, neither ſuffer him to ſtir, otherwiſe then it ſhall make for the glory of his great name, inePhil. 1.28 the ſalvation of the one, and perdition of the other.
It was an evident ſign, that the Lord anſwered not Saul, ſeeing his terror and trembling continued upon his heart. Is not that Scripture in part fulfill'd at this day,fIſa. 33.14 The ſinners in Zion are afrayd, fearfulneſs hath ſurprized the Hypocrites? Is not Cains caſe, the condition of many?gGen. 4.15 they think every one that meets them will kill them. hPro. 14.13.In the midſt of laughter their hearts are full of ſorrow. iJer. 20.3, 4.Magor-Miſſabib, fear is round about them. kJob 15.21A dreadful ſound is in their ear. They dream of danger when they ſleep, and where ever they come,lDeut. 28.66. Have no aſſurance of their lives. Oh! what fantaſtick and pannick fears, and Satanical deluſions, an unquiet guilty conſcience cauſeth. He that hath a minde to hurt others, fears it is in the minde of every one to hurt him. But what may we think of ſuch people? Truly I think, if the Lord had any regard to their prayers, he would not leave them under ſuch continual terror and dreadful amazement.mPſa. 112.7. A good man ſhall not be afraid of any evil tidings. But theſe people, whennJer. 49.23. they have heard any evil tidings, they are faint-hearted. And though it be but a Hear-ſay, and a Noiſe, and nothing in it; yet they tremble, as if they ſaw Death, Hell, and Judgment, and all ready to take hold of them. VVhen news was brought unto Lewis, of the death of his Mother, perceiving by the countenance of the meſſengers, that they were ready to tell him ſomething that would afflict his heart; Let me pray firſt (ſaith he) and then ſpeak what ye have to ſay. A man may be ſure it is a time of finding, when he can experience, not onelyonly preſent fears remov'd, but his ſpirit brought up into ſuch a gracious frame, as he can quietly hear any thing without diſhonouring God, through murmuring and ſinful paſſions, either in his thoughts, ſpeech, or action.
Secondly, It is a time of finding, 2. It is a time of finding, when the Spirit faints not, but is kept lively up in the duty of ſeeking.when the Lords people faint not in their SEEKING, but are kept up, and have life and power given them to perſiſt and perſevere to the end. As freſh Oyl poured often into the Lamp, preſerves the light from going out; ſo their groanings and cries ceaſe not day nor night, through freſh ſupplies of the Spirit.oIſa. 40.29, 30, 31. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might, he encreaſeth ſtrength. Even the youths ſhall faint and be weary; and the young men ſhall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord, ſhall renew their ſtrength: they ſhall mount up with wings as Eagles: they ſhall run, and not be weary; and they ſhall walk, and not faint. The meaning is, whereas proud Hypocries,pPſa. 20.8. & 33.16. & 52.7. truſting to their own ſtrength, power, parts, gifts, loſe what they have, and make Ship-wrack of all; On the other ſide, ſuch as are poor andq1 Cor. 1.27, 28. deſpiſed things of the world, r2 Cor. 12.9.God makes his power to appear in their weakneſs. For thoughſJoh. 15.5. of themſelves they can do nothing, yet he enables them tPhil. 4.13.to do any thing: And when they ſeemu2 Cor. 8 9 utterly ſpent, they have a new ſupply of ſtrength to enable them to bear up, and hold out; and thusxPhil. 1.6. he perfecteth the good work begun in them. And indeed this is a gracious return of prayer: when the ſoul is not onelyonly ſtrengthened and enabled to hold out, but is ſweetly raiſed and enlarged in the work. Though we have not the thing we ask, yet if we can ſigh more, and weep more for it then we did: Here is a time of finding; yea, ſuch a FINDING, as it is much better ſometimes to be kept up (by freſh ſupplies of the Spirit) in ſighs and tears, then to have preſently what is ask'd. As the Husbandman, the more ſeed he ſows, the larger is his Crop at harveſt. Doth the Lord keep thee ſowing in tears? doth he ſupply thee with precious ſeed? Oh, it is a bleſſing of bleſſings: thy reapingyGal. 6.9.10. in due ſeaſon ſhall be accordingly. I know Satan and Hypocrites are ready to reproach us, with the little profit we have by our mournings: You have been (ſay they) theſe three or four years in tears, & nothing but ſighing & crying out againſt Self-ſeekers, Oppreſſors, Covenant-breakers: but what hearing-time have ye had? aMal. 3.14.What profit is it that ye have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hoſts? To this we anſwer, Whereas we have not fainted, but have been kept up in the work all this time; yea, have had ſuch freſh ſprings of encouragement and enlargement, that our tears and ſighing, the last to be more then the firſt: Hence we are ſatisfied, that the ears of the Lord of Sabboth have been open to our prayers. Many and great were the diſcouragements whichbMat. 15.21, 22. &c. the woman of Canaan met with, when ſhe beſought Chriſt for her daughter: 1. Chriſt goes away from her, as if he would not hear her: when ſhe had followed him, and gotten a word from him, what was it? truly a hard ſaying, He is not ſent unto ſuch as ſhe. Well, ſhe faints not, neither is weary, but continues her cry, Lord, Lord, have mercy upon me. VVhat follows next? that her requeſt was unſeemly, unreaſonable, viz. To caſt Childrens bread to Dogs. A man would think whilſt Chriſt carried himſelf thus towards her, it was no time of finding; whereas in truth ſhe found him all the while: I ſay, all this time that theſe diſcouragements and temptations lay upon her, it was A TIME OF FINDING. But you will ſay, How? I anſwer, both in keeping up her ſoul, that ſhe fainted not; and in making way for the diſcovery of that great faith, which he gave her. So that it was better for the woman that ſhe was defer'd a while and ſtrengthened in the work, then to have had her requeſt ſooner granted. To you therefore my Brethren and Companions in Tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jeſus Chriſt, this I would humbly ſend to you: whereas the Lord hath ſtrengthned you in mourning and crying againſt the Abominations of the laſt Apoſtacie; it is not onelyonly matter of comfort to aſſure you that there hath been a time of finding; but alſo (and note it well) there is a bleſſing in it, and much divine love: Oh it is love indeed, unſpeakable, when the Lord draws from us abundance of tears and groans, and enables us to wait long before he gives the bleſſing.
A word likewiſe to our DISSENTING-BRETHREN, whoſe mourning of late is turned into laughter, and their heavineſs to joy. Joſephs afflictions are no more remembred, neither the oppreſſion and cry of the poor and needycEccl. 7.4. Their heart is not now in the houſe of mourning, but in the houſe of mirth. As if they were placed in the earth (as Leviathan in the Sea) only to take their ſport and paſtime therein. Here lies the difference between you and your Brethren; you laugh, and are more merry then you uſed to be, becauſe of the advantages you have by theſe corrupt times; whereas your poor Brethren are more in tears and in bitterneſs of Soul (theſe 3. or 4. yeers) then they us'd to be, for the great diſhonor, ſcandal, and reproach which you have brought to the name of God, and profeſſion of Religion, by aſſiſting and juſtifying of mens INTEREST againſt the intereſt of Chriſt and his people: hear what the Lord ſaith to both;dLuk. 6.21. Bleſſed are ye that weep NOW, for ye ſhall laugh, eVer. 25.Woe unto you that laugh NOW, for ye ſhall mourn and weep.
3. A time of finding when Saints reſt fully ſatisfied in the things they ask.Thirdly, When Mourners have ſuch a return of prayer, as they rest fully ſatisfied therein. My meaning is, the Lord perſwades their hearts, that he will ſo anſwer the travel of their Souls, as all things ſhall work together to his Glory, and their comfort and content: and thus had Paul a time of finding, when the Lord told him,f2 Cor. 12.9. My grace is ſufficient for thee, for my ſtrength is made perfect in weakneſs: as if he ſhould ſay, Though I will not remove ſuddenly this wicked Angel from thee, yet I will ſo fortifie thee with my grace againſt all his fiery darts, that thou ſhalt be more then a conqueror, and get the victory over him: and the greater thy aſſaults and temptations are, and the weaker thou art by reaſon of infirmities; the ſtronger my Grace ſhall be in ſupporting thee in all aſſaults of temptations. As a loving mother, whilſt the childe cries, ſhe takes him on her lap, wipes off the tears from his eyes, and kiſſeth him often, and ſuffers him not to goe away, till he laughs again, of the content and ſatisfaction which he hath; In ſuch a way deals our Heavenly Father with his Mourning children; as their cheeks are running down with tears, he takes them in his arms, and kiſſeth them with the kiſſes of his mouth, and ſpeaks ſo comfortably to the heart, as they goe away with their gPſa. 126.2.mouths filled with laughter, and their tongues with ſinging.
And ſuch a time of finding, David often had: we find him in the Pſalms, to make very ſad complaints, by reaſon of the great afflictions and troubles which lay upon him: nevertheleſs in the cloſe,hPſal. 7.17. & 13.6. & 42.11. rejoyceth, and giveth thanks to God; ſignifying no doubt, he had received Iſſachar's portion,iDeut. 33.23. ſatisfied with favor, and full with the bleſſing of the Lord. For howſoever he was not certain of the time of his deliverance, neither how, and in what manner he ſhould be delivered; yet this he knew (and by the Spirit it was confirm'd to him) that it ſhould go wel with him; and what was beſt for him, he ſhould have; and every thing promis'd him, ſhould be made good. That ſaying of Solomon may have place here, kPro. 13.25.The righteous eateth to the ſatiſfying of his Soul, but the belly of the wicked ſhall want: theſe ſentences are both true, applyed to ſincere Chriſtians and Hypocrites, in reſpect of Soul-ſatisfaction. The former are brought intolSong 2. the banquetting houſe, and havemSon. 7.6. Loves for delights. nIſa. 25.6.fat things full of marrow, and wines on the lees, well refined: what can a man have more at a feaſt then content, and ſatisfied in whatſoever he deſires? ſuch a FILLING have thoſe at the throne of Grace; it is a LOVE-FEAST where Chriſt and the Soul banquet and rejoyce together; yea, ſometimes there is ſuch an overflowing-fulneſs, as they are conſtrained to ſay, It is enough Lord, it is enough, I am ſatisfied with the fulneſs of joy and pleaſures at thy right hand. But the Hypocrites belly ſhall want; did he finde no more ſatiſfaction in his falſhood and craft, then in faſting and praying, he would ſoon give up the trade, or ſtarve. If a man being extream hungry, inſtead of wholſome meat, ſhould take ſome poyſonous thing, his miſery and pain would be greater then before. That which Hypocrites and Apoſtates ſuck from duties, is (ſpider-like) only poyſon; for their unbeleef and fears do riſe, and they are afterward more unquiet and reſtleſs then before: and hence it is, that after they have faſted and prayed, they have uſually in hand one peſtilent deſign or other.
Queſt. But doe not Hypocrites and Apoſtates finde Soul-ſatisfaction in faſting, praying, and other Ordinances?
Anſw. 1. Imaginary they may, but truly and really they doe not; for here that is made good,oMal. 2.2. The Lord of Hoſts curſeth their bleſſings. Beſides, what Soul-ſatisfaction can there be had in things whichpIſa. 1.14. Amos. 5.21 God hates and deſpiſeth, andqPro. 15.8 are an abomination to him? As a man in his ſleep dreames he eats and drinks largely, but when he awakes, findes himſelf almoſt dead for hunger; or like little children, ſucking a ſtick or finger in their mouths are ſatisfied with it, though they draw no ſweetneſs out: So Hypocrites (asrJude 8. filthy dreamers) fancy a feeding, and pleaſe themſelves (like children) with nothing; it being the will of God, that they ſhould be hardned and ripened for judgment in ſuch a way.
But 2. There is a ſatisfaction which Hypocrites and Apoſtates have by faſting and praying: for hereby they doe deceive others, and the more eaſily carry on their own deſigns. As I have heard of a GREAT HYPOCRITE, who having by his weeping, prevailed with ſome honeſt men to think better of his actions, then they did before; no ſooner were their backs turned, but he laughed at them, and cal'd them fools, that they ſhould believe any more, or truſt him for his tears. Thus they are like the Magician, which had the enchanted Egg; howſoever, being broken, there was nothing but wind in it; yet many (bewitched by him) thought it had a world of happineſs.
A weeping Hypocrite knows well enough, were his prayers and tears diſcovered, there is nothing but JƲGLING in them: they are all wind, lies and falſhood; nevertheleſs, by a kind of enchantment, the ſimple are made to believe there is a world of truth and love to the good old cauſe, under the Egg-ſhell of arMat. 8.16. diſ-figured (Jeſuitical) face. But leaving Hypocrites to the great day of diſcovery.
For thoſe who walk uprightly, times of finding muſt needs be ſatisfactory of the experience they have of Divine Love. If the Bride knows ſhe is taken up in the Heart-love of her Friend, though he ſhould ſay nothing to her of what he would do for her; yet ſhe is ſure he will look after her, and provide for her, that ſhe wants nothing. So a Saint taken into the bowels of Jeſus, needs nothing more: for here he ſees all things,ſ1 Cor. 3.22. Whether Paul, or Apollo, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things preſent, or things to come, all are his. And ſo much he ſweetly experienceth,4. A time of finding, when Saints have the things granted & done for them which they asked. to a full content of his ſoul.
Fourthly, It is a time of finding when mourners in Zion have the things given them, and done for them, which they asked. As the Fiſh is caught while the Fiſher is angling for her, ſo is the promiſe:tIſa. 65.23. While they are yet ſpeaking, I will hear. Again,uIſa. 58.9. & 30.19. Thou ſhalt call, and the Lord ſhall anſwer: thou ſhalt cry, and he ſhall ſay, Here I am. Such a time of finding hadxGen. 32.28. Jacob, yNum. 14.20.Moſes, a2 Chr. 20.11, 12.Jehoſhaphat, b2 Ki. 20.5.Hezekiah, c1 Kin. 18.37, 38.Elias, dDan. 9.20. & 10.12Daniel, &c.
Neither hath the Lords hand been ſhortned, or his ear heavy (in this very thing) toward his preſent mourners: for many of the great things which they have ſought with tears, he hath given them in according to their hearts deſire: ſo that their ſowing in tears hath not been without ſome pretious fruit, as to a harveſt already.
Queſt. Wherein hath the Lord anſwered the prayers of his people, in giving them already what they asked?
Anſw. 1. Many have been the ſighs and groans which they have poured forth before the Lord, that he would diſcover all deceitful workers, take away their vizard and ſheeps-clothing, that ſo the foulneſs, and wolviſhneſs of their ways might be ePro. 9.10.known, and f2 Tim. 3.9their folly manifeſt unto all men. True it is, when the Apoſtacy firſt broke forth, many good peopleg1 Cor. 13.7. Beleeving all things, and hoping all things) had ſome hope, that the Covenant-breakers, under their publick miſcarriages, had ſecretly ſome good intent to promote, not their own intereſt, but Chriſt's and his people. Hence for a while they were ſilent, judging the beſt: but as the Apes were known by the nuts, though taken for men before, and admired for their dancing: So it was not long after ſome had taken greatneſs and power upon them, but ſuch ambition, oppreſſion, covetouſneſs, and BASE-SELF appeared, as honeſt people every where perceiv'd, they were APES, Revolters, the very men characterized byh2 Tim. 3.1 Paul in Timothy, howſoever formerly deemed otherwiſe. That this time of finding may the better appear, let us conſider ſome particulars, wherein the Lord hath moſt gratiouſly anſwered the prayers of his people in unmasking evil men.
1. Their unthank fulneſs; this isi2 Tim. 3.2 one character of the Laſt Apoſtates: & I am perſwaded, there is no Hiſtory (Divine or Humane) of men more monſtrous, ungrateful & inhumane towards their friends and Benefactors, then ſome of late have been. Toads leave their poyſon, where they had ſhelter and refreſhment, and the Eagle kils the Swan that nouriſheth her. Are not good men juſt ſo ſerv'd? thoſe who have ſheltred the Backſliders, kept them alive, and rais'd them up, how are they rewarded for it, but with poyſon and murther? for they ſtudy and watch, how to render evil for good. Here we have the truth of that Proverb,kPro. 26.8 As he that bindeth a ſtone in a ſling, ſo is he that giveth honor to a fool. If you fling a ſtone up into the ayr, and mount it above the clouds, there it will not tarry, but preſently fals down again, chuſing rather a dunghil, or ſome ſuch filthy place to be in. When ſome men were firſt raiſed up, their places were high, honorable and lawful; but they would not abide there, but be on a dunghil rather, where they might wallow in luxury, pride, wantonneſs, and have dirt enough to caſt on the faces of their beſt friends.
2. Committing the ſame ſins, which formerly they condemn'd in others. As one ſaid of the Trent-Fathers, They would pare other mens nayls, but let their own grow: So the exceſs, riot, ambition, oppreſſion, &c. of former Kings and Biſhops, theſe muſt be par'd and cut off; though themſelves in the mean time more ſinful in the ſame ways and courſes. Who ſpake more againſt covetouſneſs then Craſſus, and yet who more covetous? who wrote more againſt the Title of Ʋniverſal Biſhop then Gregory the Great? yet no man more liked it, and affected it, then himſelf: ſo Sylla and Richard the third commanded other men to be ſober and honeſt, and yet none worſe then themſelves: who was he that would have no Government by Kings, becauſe of their waſtful Courts, and putting the Nation to unneceſſary charges in maintaining the pride of their children? and who is he that hath been more laviſh and expenſive then any before him? What a deal of good doctrine have ſome men in their ſermons, and ſo in their books, concerning humility, ſelf-denyal, contentment, and to mortifie the members of the body! Oh! what a noiſe have they made againſt the world, this bewitching-world, and that men ſhould not ſeek great things, honor, riches, Court-Promotion! In their words and writings, here all is dung, and vanity of vanities: But ſhould a man come home to their practiſe, and obſerve what heaps of this DƲNG and vanities they have ſcraped together, and are like the daughters of the horſeleech, lPro. 30.15.Crying, GIVE, GIVE, never ſatisfied, nor ſay, It is enough; He would almoſt think, they walked in their ſteps of whom our Saviour ſpeaks,mMat. 23 3. They ſay, and do not: when they are teaching others, we have this very ſoberly from them; We would think him unwiſe, who hath brought much ſweet water into his ciſtern, and largely gives it out to others, but himſelf drinks that which is bitter and unwholſome: what profiteth it a ſteward to know the nature of meats, and not to taſte them; or to be able to diſpute of the nature and uſe of fire, and yet to die for cold? I ſhall leave the application to themſelves; and the rather, becauſe they doe not think to be ſav'd by their book.
3. A baſe complyance for the wages of unrighteouſneſs, with the corrupt intereſt and luſts of men. As puppets are moved wholy at his direction and bent that extends or ſlacks the ſtrings whereon they dance; and the blind-bayard ruſheth into the battel, but which way he goeth he ſees not, he cares not, ſave only his rider ſpurs him: ſuch a diſcovery there hath been of late, that whatſoever ſome perſons have commanded (though againſt Reaſon, Religion, Law, Conſcience, yea, their own former Vowes and Oaths) the ſame hath been immediately put in execution.nPro. 9.12 If a Ruler hearken to lies, all his ſervants are wicked. A wicked Ruler will have none about him, but ſuch as ſhall ſerve his turn and purpoſes. As a man will not be at the coſt of keeping beaſts unleſs he think to have profit by it. When Eliſha had promiſed a childe to the Shunamite, it was very much that ſhe ſhould ſay unto him (eſpecially knowing him, and confeſſing him to be a man of God, o2 Kin. 4.16.Doe not lie unto thine handmaid; a very harſh expreſſion: But what might be the reaſon? He had talked to her before of the Court, and of his greatneſs there, asking her, what he ſhouldpver. 13. ſpeak for her to the King, or to the Captain of the Hoſt: upon this, the good woman preſently ſuſpected that he ſpake as a Courtier to her; and howſoever ſhe took him for a Prophet, yet perceiving he had ſuch an intereſt with the King, and his Courtiers, and his Soldiers (all Apoſtates) ſhe much fear'd he had learnt ſome of their principles, i. e. to complement, diſſemble, flatter, lye: &c. *Amos. 7.12.O thou Seer, go, flee thee away to the Land of Judah, and there eat bread, and propheſie there: as if he ſhould ſay, if thou meaneſt to be ſafe, and not to ſtarve, leave this place; for if thou meddle with the Apoſtacie, Hypocriſie and baſeneſs of the Court, thou wilt have neither peace nor livelihood: and doubtleſs the thing is true: there is no bread, no STATE-DISHES in Apoſtate-Courts, for any Seer that ſhall keep a good conſcience, and deal faithfully in the Lords Meſſage: for ſhould they declare the whole Counſel of God, and come home, (as John did to Herod) and tel them particularly what is not lawful, they would ſoon diſmiſs them, and tell them, it is the KINGS CHAPPEL; yea, and well if they can eſcape with their liberties and lives.
There are two things enough to diſcourage every honeſt man from being a Servant to a wicked Ruler.
1. The ſuſpition and jealouſie which all good people will have of him, if he turn Courtier, as not to be the man he was before, viz. for truth, integrity and plain dealing: but as a Candle turned the wrong way, and held downward, it goes out; ſo out goes the light of ſimplicity, and ſingleneſs of heart, and up riſeth the ſnuff and ſtink of flattering lips, and a double-tongue.
2. How baſely their great Maſters will caſt them off: As a man that rides in poſt, takes often freſh horſes, and looks no more after the Beaſt he uſed before: Thus do Tyrants, thoſe that will not hold out and keep pace with them in all their ſinful ways, away they are turned, and up they get upon the back of a freſh horſe.
Fourthly, The horrible and unheardof wickedneſs, never the like ſeen or known before, among a profeſſing people: not by fits, and now and then committed; but conſtantly, like a gutter which always runs with foul water. As low Meadows and Marſhes, when they come to be overflown, and the waters to ſtand in them, breed nothing but Toads and Frogs that continually creep and annoy them: or as Knats and Vermine in a dead karcaſe, by the clear ſun-ſhine of one day, are produced and multiplied in multitudes. I would gladly know what the laſt Apoſtacie hath begotten and brought forth ſince it aſcended out of the bottomleſs pit, unleſs croaking Frogs and other Vermin, filling every corner of the Land. It is not long ſince Prieſts and Lawyers had their waters ſo dried up, as they were almoſt dead, and could hardly croak for drought: but now they encreaſe again, and grow fat, having power given them to devour every green thing.
Hazael would not believe that he ſhould ever commit the villany which the prophet told him. Though ſome profeſſors were ſuſpected (of many) to be rotten at the kore, long before their ROTTENNESS brake forth (like Gehazi's Leproſie) on their Fore-heads; yet I think no man thought they would have been half ſo bad as they are: for if you mark it, their deſigne is cloſely and by degrees to ſuppreſs every good thing that ſtands in the way of their intereſt, and ſo to have their will and luſt alone exalted. Moles cannot ſee, but it's the better for their working under ground. That ſome mens eyes are blinded, their hearts hardned, and conſciences ſeared, it is much to the advantage of their deſigne: for now like blind Moles, their work will go on the faſter; wheras had they eyes to ſee, hearts and conſciences that would be ſmiting and checking them for their deceit, falſhood, hypocriſie, &c. Oh this would be a great trouble, and they could not work ſo faſt under ground.
Fifthly, The Inſtruments imployed by them to defend what they have done, and how. 1.pZech. 13.4. The prophets are aſhamed every one of his own viſion; they hold down the head, and dare not ſpeak any more, things being ſo intolerably out of order. Thus we ſee fulfill'd in our days, that marvelous work and wonder, of which the prophet ſpeaketh,qIſa. 29.14. The wiſdome of their wiſe men ſhall periſh: and the underſtanding of their prudent ſhall be hid. Neither is it ſtrange they are all ſilent; for what can the new Doctors, or Tryers, or any of the money-Prophets bring forth to juſtifie ſome States-mens doings, but Gardners argument againſt relying on the merits of Chriſt? Allow that (ſaid he) and ye open a Gap to the taking away of the priests profits. It is ſure enough, if Chriſt in his Kingdom, Laws, Worſhip, &c. ſhould reign: open that gate to the King of Glory, down goes the wantonneſs, pride, riot, and gallantry of our new Princes and Prelates, and their Dependants. 2. For thoſe fools whichrPro. 20.3. which will be medling andſPro. 10.8. prating, what do they buttIſa. 28.15. make lies their refuge? Oh the wonderful victories, and proſperous ſucceſſes which they have had in the Weſt-Indies, and other parts againſt the Spaniard, and what huge credit and glory the Engliſh Nation hath gain'd of late among Turks, and Jews, and Heathens, and where not! When I hear ſuch groſs untruths, and conſider for what end they are deviſed; that Beaſt comes into my mind (called Bonoſus) not being able to defend himſelf with his hornes, poyſoneth the Dogs with his dung: ſeeing they can do nothing by their power, but the Lord breaks their horns every where, they hope to help themſelves with THEIR EXCREMENTS, (men that ſhall write for the Turk or Devil, if he will hire him) and therewith to poyſon the ears and underſtanding of the people.
But ſome may ſay, they are not believed, their news is taken for lies in all places. Though this be true, yet their wickedneſs is not the leſs: viz. when God is viſibly againſt them, and curſeth their bleſſings, for them THEN to boaſt of victory, proſperity, good ſucceſs, &c. who unleſs Atheiſts would do ſo?
3. Another way whereby their new Babel is under-propt, it is by raiſing Calumniations and Slanders againſt the Lords people. What ſtrange and monſtrous people are the Fifth Monarchy-men and Common-wealths-men reported to be? And doubtleſsuProv. 14.15. the ſimple who believe every word, think it is all true which Apoſtates ſay of them. When the name of Hugonite came firſt up in France, much enquiry there was what thoſe people were: The prieſts (ever the forewardeſt in ſuch a work) gave out, they were MONSTERS, headed like Lions, footed like Bears, &c. and would eat Children; and a great deal more to this purpoſe: whereupon the ignorant people, believing the things to be true, (becauſe their Prieſts ſaid ſo) cried out, Oh kill them, kill them, kill them. Juſt thus do the Backſliders deal with their enemies, I mean ſuch as hold forth a publick Teſtimony againſt them: if you ask them what are theſe Fifth Monarchy-men, and Common-wealths-men, that are ſo talk'd of; they will tell you, they are Monſters, monſtrous Monſters, men that will have no Government, no Magiſtracy, no Miniſtery: men that will have all things common, allowing no propriety; and whoſo are not of their principles and opinion, they will either eat them, or make them vaſſals to them. Now what ſay the poor ignorant people, hearing this, and not queſtioning the truth of it, (for how ſhould they, ſeeing Prieſts, Lawyers and Soldiers, tel them ſo?xJohn 19.…5. Away with them, away with them, crucifie them, we have no King but Caeſar.
Take notice, Reader, this is an old ſtratagem of the Devil, and a leſſon which he hath taught his children in all ages, that is, to be like a cunning thief, who in the croud, cryes, Stop the thief, ſtop the thief; not caring who is taken, ſo himſelf may eſcape, that hath done the robbery. When Balak would have Balaam come to him, to curſe the Lord's people, he conceals the truth of Iſraels caſe and carriage, makes no mention how the Lord had of oldaGen. 15.18. promiſed them the land of Canaan, nor how the Canaanites wickedneſs was grown ſo great, thatbLev. 18.24, 25. the land ſhould ſpue them out: neither ſpeaketh he of their ſore oppreſſion & bondage in Egypt, & miraculous deliverance from thence; nor how Iſrael being come out, had not harmed either Edom or Moab, butcDeut. 2.4.8, 9, 13. paſſed by them in peace, and warred only with the curſed Canaanites, devoted to deſtruction: all theſe things Moab knew, as well asdNum. 20.14, 15. Edom; but here he is ſilent: and what he doth report is moſt falſe:eNum. 22.5. Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt; behold, they cover the face of the Earth, and they abide over againſt me: As if he ſhould ſay, there is an uncivil and barbarous people come up from Egypt, who they are, I know not, but they plunder and deſtroy the Countryes where they come, and they are now waiting an opportunity to invade us, and turn us out of our lawful poſſeſſions. Are not our enemies and Moab here alike? Doe they not altogether conceal the caſe and carriage of Chriſts faithful witneſſes? where doe they fairly and honeſtly report their principles and judgment? ButfPſa. 35.11. lay to their charge, things they never knew. I have in part ſhewed, what they hold, and what they deſire to have: This I ſhall add, asgProv. 15.34. Righteouſneſs exalteth a Nation, (not craft, policy, power, or making an other houſe) ſo they would have all oppreſſions and grievances taken away, no man to be committed or detayn'd in priſon at the will and pleaſure of any man: they would not have the blood and treaſure of the Nation ſpilt and ſpent, to ſerve any mans luſt; they would have the theeviſh Lawyers ſuppreſt; they would have thoſe righteous things done which the Army promiſed. And if Charls Stewart juſtly ſuffered, (and his family too) for exerciſing an arbitrary and unlimited power, they know no reaſon, why any man, if he govern worſe then the King did, ſhould be ſuffered.
4. Another help is a Mercenary Army. But of theſe men I need not ſay much; for the Nation knows them too well. A hedge-hog ſeems to be a poor ſilly creature; yet being full of briſtles and prickles, a man may be ſhrewdly hurt by it. I cannot for the preſent think of a compariſon fitter or truer: It's become a HEDG-HOG indeed; a poor ſilly thing, it hath no beauty, comlineſs, credit, honor, &c. only briſtles and prickles to wound the intereſt of Chriſt and his people.
5. But who, think'ſt thou (Reader) brings up the Rear? Even Wizards and South-ſayers: another of Satans tricks to deceive poor people. There is to be in our days, a certain Conqueror (an Emperour he muſt be, ſaith another paraſite) deſcended from the Princely race of North-Wales, who ſhall deſtroy the Pope and the Turk, and moſt part of the world; bear the Imperial rule at Sea, reform the Church, ſettle peace, and nothing ſhall ſtand in his way: and that this is true, many Magicians, Sorcerers, and Britiſh Bards are reckoned up, who above 1000. years agoe ſpake of it; and ſeveral Honorable Titles he is to have (ſaith a later Wizard) about July next. It grieves my Soul to ſee our profeſſion, Religion, and the Holy Name of God thus abus'd and prophan'd by the vileſt inſtruments the Devil hath. But the Scripture muſt be fulfill'd.h2 Theſ. 11, 12. And for this cauſe God ſhall ſend them ſtrong deluſions, that they ſhould beleeve a lie, that they all might be damned, who beleeve not the truth, but have pleaſure in unrighteouſneſs. iPſa. 1.17.As he loved curſing, ſo let it come upon him; as he delighted not in the bleſſing, ſo let it be far from him. It was a righteous thing with God, to give up Ahab to his falſe Prophets, and by their lies to deſtroy him, having refuſed to hearken to the Lords Servants: ſo when men wil not follow the Counſel of God, but caſt his Word and Law behind their back, what more juſt then to leave them to Wizards and Star-gazers, to be blinded & harnded by them, and prepared for ſlaughter? I have read ſomewhere of one Athol a Scots man, being told by a Sorcereſs, that he ſhould be crowned in a great concourſe of people; believing the witch, & to make way for the crown, he kil'd James 1. Now there was ſome truth in what the Witch had told him; for being brought upon a Scaffold for this treaſon and Murder, a crown of red hot Iron was ſet upon his head, and ſo he miſerably periſhed, many thouſands looking on. So may they be crown'd that ſeek it in ſuch a way.
Much more might be ſaid concerning the Lords anſwering the cries and ſighing of his people in the diſcovery of theſe men, viz. their devouring skin, bones and all, by NEW TRICKS; ſo the Thief hath the true mans purſe, he cares not how he gets it.kPro. 28.15. As a roaring Lion, and a ranging Bear, ſo is a wicked Ruler over the poor people: that is, the right which he pleadeth, is nothing but might; the mercy he ſhews is onelyonly where he cannot ſhew more cruelty; and whatſoever he takes away moſt unjuſtly from poor people, he ſaith, It is his right, and he muſt and will have it. Again, the Lawyers never tormented poor men more then now: the old Superſtitious Prieſts, how are they thumming over the Engliſh Maſs again! ſo in many parts of the Land, their Malignant Juſtices perſecuting honeſt men under the name of conventicles, putting in execution the bloody Laws of the Beaſt enacted for the ſuppreſſion of the truth: other things are too FOUL to be named. Herod feared John for his piety and ſtrict walking: ſo did Saul fear David. But no man needs to fear this Generation of men for holineſs, juſtice, righteouſneſs. Indeed for the contrary, there is cauſe enough; but howſoever, in this Gods people may take comfort, for thus it is promiſed: kMic. 4.10Thou ſhalt go even to Babylon, THERE ſhalt thou be delivered, THERE the Lord ſhall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies. I hope we ſhall never be brought neerer Babylon then we are.
Secondly, They have prayed, that the Lord would not bleſs or proſper the deſigns of the froward and crafty, who to ſet up their own intereſt, have betrayed the cauſe of Chriſt; but thatkPſa. 83.13. He would make them as a rolling thing, as chaff before the wind. How the Lord hath anſwered them, will appear firſt by ſome Queries.
1. Had Charls Stewart ſent an Army to Hiſpaniola, and ten of the Spaniards had kill'd an hundred of them, a hundred a thouſand: Whether people would not have ſaid, God's curſe was upon that action?
2. Had Charls Stewart (to ſatiſfie his pride and luſt) put the Nation to ſome millions of expence, to keep a great Fleet about the Straits, and after ſome yeers, a part had return'd, bringing nothing back but ſhame and diſhonor to the nation: Whether people would not have ſaid, This action likewiſe waslIſa. 43.28. given to the curſe?
3. If Charls Stewart, for the buſineſs at the Iſle of Ree, and violating ſome Priviledges of Parliament, &c. was fairly dealt with: VVhether other men (after him) ſhould they doe worſe, might not be call'd to ſuch an account?
4. If that Parliament, and High Court of Juſtice which arraigned Charls Stewart, deſerved much love and prayſe of the nation for it: What deſerve they, and are worthy to have, that ſhall betray their publick Truſt, by giving up to one man, the Power, Laws, Rights and Priviledges of People and Parliament?
5. If Charls Stewart in three or four yeers had unneceſſarily waſted more then 4. Millions of the Treaſure of the nation, and in that time had deſtroyed more then forty thouſand mens lives, and only for his own pleaſure; and afterward ſhould have gotten a pack of his own creatures together, who in Parliament (as he would call it) ſhould juſtifie and confirm what he had done: The queſtion is, Whether in this caſe there had been any way or means left to the people, whereby they might lawfully and juſtly have call'd Charls Stewart and his Juncto to an account for the ſame?
A *Pro. 28.3.poor man that oppreſſeth the poor, is like a ſweeping rain, which leaveth no food. Morſus macri pediculi peſſimus, the biting of a LEAN LOƲSE is worſt of all, ſayth Lyra on the place. I have read of a great man being bitten of a weaſel, and underſtanding there was no hope of cure, nothing griev'd him more at the hour of his death, then to think it was a weaſels biting; had it been (ſaid he) a LYONS BITING, it would not have troubled me half ſo much.
2. What is it that crafty men by their power and policy have lately effected? (I ſay) ſince Gods people have prayed aginſt them, what have they brought forth ſave wind and vanity?mPſa. 7.14. Behold, he travelleth with painful iniquity, and hath conceived miſchief, and brought forth a lie. As a woman after ſore and hard travel is delivered of a dead childe; ſo hath been the fruit of their painful travel. Their affairs and tranſactions almoſt in all places and in all things, have been like a ſword put into the ſcabberd the wrong way; the more force, power, craft, the worſe: And no marvel, ſeeing they are going the wrong way, viz. againſt Chriſt, and the cries of his people. VVhat is become of that THING, which was like Queen Mary's goodly Boy? Did not the Prieſts in their Pulpits deſcribe it, and pray for it? VVhat is become of the Boyes nurſe? A nurſe many times is more fond of the child ſhe ſucks, then the mother that bare it.
3. It appears the Lord heard their groanings, by ſendingnJudg. 9.23. an evil ſpirit among the Plotters of iniquity to divide them, and that they ſhould ſeeko2 Chr. 20.23. to deſtroy one another. VVhen Amnon had his deſire upon his ſiſter,p2 Sam. 13.15. he hated her the more: So Hypocrites commonly moſt abhor ſuch men as doe proſtrate themſelves to their ſinful deſigns, when they have ſerved their luſts upon them.
4. It ſhewed Saul was in great extremity, having deſtroyed the witches, that he ſhould yet goe to one of them, and make uſe of their deviliſh art. Oh! how deſperately ſtraitned are thoſe men, and know not what to doe, having fought againſt Malignants and Cavaleers, againſt Epiſpopal men and Presbyterians, ſhall afterward run to them, court them, and crouch to them, as ſeeing no way elſe to be help'dqJudg. 11.7. Did ye not hate me, and expel me out of my fathers houſe? and why are ye come unto me, now when ye are in diſtreſs?
Thirdly, Prayer hath been made without ceaſing, that Gods elect every where might forſake all unſanctified places and ſtandings; and that their feet might be turned into the pleaſant paths of truth and righteouſneſs; and in this likewiſe they have ſeen the travel of their ſouls.
For, 1. Very many of the moſt conſcientious people every where, have given up their commiſſions, places, offices, Salaries, &c. rHeb. 11.25.Chuſing rather to ſuffer affliction with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleaſures of ſin for a ſeaſon. If a man have a thing in his mouth, though he like it well for the ſweetneſs of it, yet he will not keep it there, but ſpit it out when he knows it is naught and hurtful: ſo will good men do (ſpecially if their hearts be very ſoft and tender) forſake all places, offices, imployment, maintenance, &c. which they ſee they cannot hold without ſcandal and offence, though much worldly ſweetneſs doth come in thereby. And this is indeed that great leſſon ofſMat. 16.24. Self-denial, andtMat. 18.8, 9. Mortification, which Chriſt teacheth us.
2. There are ſome, who wanting faith to truſt God for a livelihood, lie under ſad affliction and trouble of ſpirit about their places and imployments.u2 Kin. 5.18. When my Maſter goeth into the houſe of Rimmon to worſhip there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow my ſelf in the houſe of Rimmon; the Lord pardon thy ſervant in this thing: as if he ſhould ſay, I do not like my place, that I ſhould be ſo nigh the King when he is in the Temple at his idolatrous worſhip; I queſtion the lawfulneſs of my preſence there: but if I do it not, I muſt loſe my place, and then I ſhall not live in that credit, plenty, ſtate, pomp, which now I do. It ſeems, Naaman knew not the Scriptures, howxPſa. 57.16. a little, yEccl. 4.6.a handful, aPro. 17.1.a dry morſel, bPro. 15.17.a dinner of herbs, well gotten, and with quietneſs, and peace of conſcience, and the fear of God, is better then great revenues without right, and with the trouble of a tormented conſcience. But Naaman knew not this; if he had, probably he would not (as I doubt too many do)cProv. 28.21. Tranſgreſs'd for a piece of bread.
3. For many which keep their places and employment, though they ſeem ſatisfied as to their ſtanding, yet the query is, Are they ſatisfied as to their Maſters DOINGS?d1 Sam. 15 14. What meaneth then the bleating of the Sheep in mine ears? With whom can you converſe, (if they have not loſt all former principles of honeſty and liberty) but you ſhall hear them bitterly exclaim againſt ſome perſons, for their falſhood, Covenant-breaking, ſeeking themſelves, and oppoſing the work of God; yea, now and then a diſcontented houſhold-ſervant will be twitting his Maſter publickly at his noſe, for caſting off the intereſt of Chriſt and his people, and complying with the Malignant party. What ſaid Nabals ſervants of him to their Miſtreſs?e1 Sam. 25 17. He is ſuch a ſon of Belial, that a man cannot ſpeak to him: (Belial ſignifies one without yoak, or lawleſs) as if they ſhould ſay, There is not a man alive worſe then our Maſter: he cares not what he ſays, nor what he does, nor who he wrongs; his will is a Law; and ordinarily, they who have done him moſt good, (as David for example) he is moſt ſpightful and malicious againſt; and if any man do but ſpeak to him of his covetouſneſs, cruelty, unthankfulneſs, or ſeem to croſs him in his pride and wilfulneſs, he will ſtamp, and ſtare, and curſe like a mad-man, or devil, and do him what miſchief he can: Therefore certainly evil is determined against our Maſter, and againſt all his houſhold. Reader, take notice when thou heareſt ſome SERVANTS to call their Maſter a ſon of Belial, that is, one that will be under no yoke, no Law or Government; one that is an enemy to good people, and cares for none but ſuch as wil be ſervants to his luſts and will; this is a great return of prayer: for howſoever ſome ſervants have not the grace nor honeſty to leave ſuch a Nabal; nevertheleſs, ſpeaking ſo openly againſt his wickedneſs, as they condemn their own ſinful standing: ſo they juſtifie all other ſervants which have caſt off ſuch a SON OF BELIAL.
Laſtly, There is another ſort, who like their places as ill as their Maſters, and have not a good word for either; onelyonly the old Serpent hath taught them a trick to cozen their own ſouls, which is, to keep their places, in hope to ſerve their Country the better, if a turn or change ſhould come. Mock on: we know well enough, did not theſe men love themſelves a great deal better then they do their Country, they would not ſupport oppreſſion (as they do) for their baſe pay & hire. But an ill-favoured face needs painting.
Fourthly, the Lord hath been earneſtly cal'd upon, that howſoever the Witneſſes ſhould be ſlain, fRev. 11.9 Rev. 12.17.yet not ſuffered to be burnt, but that a remnant of the womans ſeed might be preſerved to keep up the memory of the work and cauſe of Chriſt. Now truly, I think the Father of Mercies hath not in any one thing more clearly anſwered the Soul-Groanings of his people then in this.
For, 1. Conſider how grievouſly Gods people have been tried and tempted theſe three or four years, not onelyonly by great poverty and outward wants, but by the entiſements & baits of worldly advantages; as riches, honor, promotion, pleaſure,hMat. 4.9. all theſe things will I give thee, IF THOU WILT, &c. A man that ſhould ſtand before the mouth of a Cannon going off, or walk upon the ridge or pinacle of a Tower, or ſail among moſt dangerous rocks and ſands; it would be thought very ſtrange, if he ſhould eſcape all danger. Some of Gods people lately have had a more wonderful deliverance, if the ſnares be minded which the Lord hath broken for them:iPſa. 107.8. O let them confeſs to Jehovah his mercy and his marvelous works.
2. Howſoever the love of many is grown cold, and they are turn'd with Demas, and with the Dog, to the world, and their vomit again; yet hath the Lord preſerv'd a litte flock,Rev. 3.4. a few names which have not defiled their garments by partaking with the laſt Apoſtacy, but (through grace)lJam. 1.27 have kept themſelves unſpotted from the world. When Gideons Army of 32000 came to be 300. then indeed it was excellent and glorious,Judg. 7.7. and meet for the Lord to work Iſraels deliverance by it. Though the followers of Chriſt are very few in number, to the worſhippers of the Beaſt; yet this I may ſay, as the prophet ſaith of the Figs, they arenJer. 24.2 very good: the Lord having by their many temptations & trials, purified them unto himſelf a peculiar people, zealous of good works.