The Churchs Plea for the Divine Presence to Prosper Human Force, Sermon

The Churchs Plea for the Divine Presence to Prosper Human Force · Sermon

p. 1The Churches Plea for the Divine Preſence to Proſper Humane Force.

PSALM 108.10, 11.

Who will bring me into the ſtrong City? Who will lead me into Edom?

Wilt not thou, Oh God, who haſt caſt us off? And wilt not thou, Oh God, go forth with our Hoſts?

THis whole Pſalm, with very little variation of Words, and without the leaſt variation of Matter, is borrowed from two preceding Pſalms. The former part of it is compos'd of the latter part of the 57th. Pſalm, from the 7th. verſe to the end; the latter part is taken out of the 60th. Pſalm, from the 5th. verſe to the end. But whereas that (laſt mentioned) Pſalm is introduc'd with a moſt ſad and mournful Preface, holy David begins here in a more chearful ſtrain, as more ſuited to the preſent diſpenſation, under which he was. When that Pſalm was penn'd, David ſeems to have been in actual danger, at the writing of this he is thought to have received the Mercy, which he prayed for before; and he now records his own Experience of God's Goodneſs p. 2to him, and powerful appearance for him in former difficulties and ſtraits, not only as a standing encouragement to himſelf, and other beleivers then, but as a Typical pledge, Dickson on the Pſalms Vol. 3. p. 94.and earneſt of that glorious final victory which ſhould be obtained by the true Militant Church over all her inteſtine and foreign Enemies under the conduct of Christ her exalted Head and Saviour in the Goſpel Times.

What Davids particular Caſe was, we may eaſily collect from other Scriptures. Before the Death of Saul, he had the promiſe from God, of ſucceeding in the Throne, and of the proſperity and flouriſhing of his Kingdom; when he had the poſſeſſion of it, many of the neighbouring Princes and Nations ſet themſelves to oppoſe him; among the reſt, the Philiſtines did ſo,Pſal. 83.6, 7, 8.Ps 83:6Ps 83:7Ps 83:8 and the Syrians, the Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites, of whoſe Confederacy and conjunction in that accurſed Cauſe, the Holy Ghoſt gives us a diſtinct account. David's engagement in theſe juſt and neceſſary Wars againſt his, and Iſrael's Adverſaries (which were continued in ſome meaſure till the very birth of Solomon) was the reaſon why God did not expect from him the building of the Temple; but however, God did not leave him alone in the carrying of them on, and the conqueſts which he made, were very conſiderable, according to the hope and deſire of his own Heart. Moab (ſays he, verſe 9. of this Pſalm) is my waſh-pot, and over Edom will I caſt out my ſhooe, (expreſſions of great Contempt, and of the meanneſs and ſervitude of that ſtate, which they ſhould be brought into) over Philiſtia will I triumph. So he proceeds in the words of the Text, who will bring me, &c.

p. 3Some conceive, that by the [ſtrong City] here, in the 10th. verſe is meant Rabbah, the Royal City of the Children of Ammon, which was ſo long beſieged, and at laſt taken by Joab. Others think,2 Sam. 12.26.2 Sam 12:26 that the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks to the ſame ſubject both in the former and latter part of the verſe, and therefore apply it to the Fortifyed places in [Edom's] Countrey, who boaſted much of invincible ſtrength; as we may learn from the Prophet, who foretelling the deſtruction of Edom, ſays,Obad. 3.Obad 1:3 The pride of thy heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwelleſt in the clefts of the rock, whoſe habitation is high, that ſayeſt in thy heart, who ſhall bring me down to the ground? Theſe Edomites, as they were lofty and inſolent, ſo they were old and inveterate Enemies to the ſeed of Jacob; but David was led (as he wiſht) by a mighty hand of Providence to vanquiſh and ſubdue them;2 Sam. 8.14.2 Sam 8:14 ſo that throughout all Edom he put garriſons, and they all became David's Servants.

The Time which he refers to, in the 11th. verſe wherein God [had caſt them off] was in the Reign of Saul, when the ſins of the Iſraelites were juſtly puniſht, both by his Arbitrary practices, whom they fooliſhly courted, and by God's abandoning of them, whom they ſinfully deſpis'd. David's Subjests could not but ſay, that it was better with them now in all reſpects, than heretofore; as they now lived under a more gentle and Righteous Government, ſo they enjoyed more of the ſmiles and bleſſings of Heaven.

The words contain in them two principal things. 1. An earneſt enquiry after ſome effectual ſuccour. Who will bring me into the ſtrong City? Who will lead me into Edom? Not that David was ignorant, whence p. 4ſuch ſuccour might be had, like the blind world whoſe common cry is,Pſal. 4.6.Ps 4:6 who will ſhew us any good? (for he had an Eye which was always open, to the Everlaſting Hills) but to intimate, that he depended not upon any Military preparations, not upon any skill and courage of his own, nor upon the numbers and union of his people. The like paſſage we meet with elſewhere;Pſal. 94.19.Ps 94:19 Who will riſe up for me againſt the evil doers? Or who will stand up for me againſt the workers of Iniquity? Implying, that he wanted and ſought after ſome further help, beyond what he had already, in the concurrence of his Subjects and Allyes, whoſe ſervice, though valuable and uſeful in its place, was not ſufficient. 2. An Humble expostulation with God about it. Wilt not thou, Oh God, who haſt caſt us off? And wilt not thou oh God, go forth with our Hoſts? David forms his Petition into a Queſtion, which he puts up to God with a becoming reverence, and yet with a warrantable boldneſs; as in other places alſo,Pſal. 85.6.Ps 85:6 after the ſame manner; wilt not thou revive us again, that thy people may rejoyce in thee? Which was no argument of any distruſt, or doubt whether God would or no, but rather on the other hand ſignified an hopeful confidence that he would. I will only add, that this is ſuch a way of Addreſs to God, as the due modesty of Creatures and Sinners does not forbid, but the Liberty granted to beleivers does very much encourage.

There are ſeveral Truths included in this Text, which are worthy to be opened, and ſeaſonable at this Day.

p. 5IFirſt, That In Caſes of publick Commotion, by the attempts which Enemies make againſt us, and we againſt them, it behoves us to be very ſollicitous about the iſſue of them.

IIISecondly, That Former rejection by God ſhould not damp all comfortable expectation of future aſſiſtance from him.

IIIThirdly, That God's favourable help is of greateſt conſequence to be deſired and obtain'd for the making of our Arms Victorious.

I propoſe to handle theſe points ſeverally, and conclude with an Application which may be ſuitable to them all, and to the deſign of this dayes Aſſembly.

I.

The Firſt Thing, which I ſhall endeavour to ſhew, is that In caſes of publick commotion, when our Enemies and we are making mutual attempts againſt each other, we ought to be very ſollicitous, that it may have an happy and ſucceſsful end. This truth is grounded upon the paſſionate working of David's Spirit, when his Forces were bent againſt bloudy Edom, he ſeems to be zealously inquiſitive about the matter, Who will bring me into the ſtrong City? &c.

We ſhould not, like Jonah, ſleep in the midſt of Storms, but rowſe our ſelves into a ſerious thoughtfulneſs, as to what will become of us and of our Countrey. We know how ſharp the Diſciples were upon our Saviour, when the waves beat into the Ship, and he lay upon a pillow in the hinder part of it;Mark 4.38.Mark 4:38 Maſter careſt thou not that we periſh? What cenſure then can be too ſevere for thoſe, who in the greateſt diſtreſſe of Nations, do ſcarcely manifeſt the leaſt concern? Though perhaps more than a Kingdom lyes p. 6under the hazard of periſhing, there are multitudes of ſuch a ſlothful and careleſs temper, that they will not put themſelves to the trouble of conſidering; but ſit at caſe, till almoſt every thing about them is not only ſhaken but removed. How many, as if they were ſtrangers in our Jeruſalem, or worſe, have no ſenſe of the common difficulties to be encountred, nor of the miſeries to be eſcap'd; but at the ſame time, when all good men are ready to ſtand with their hands upon their Loins, or to fall upon their Knees, they are perfectly ſtupid and ſecure, and ſhake off all fear of wrath in this World as well as that which is to come! Surely this is not a Chriſtian, but a brutiſh frame; a frame moſt unfit to be found in now, when ſuch probable dangers look us in the face, when both the rage and confidence of our Enemies is grown ſo high, and our own unthankfulneſs for freſh deliverances is ſo notorious. To be regardleſs of our preſent circumſtances, or indifferent about them, argues an Heart wofully hardned, and is a ſin which hath various ſins in it. I ſhall mention Three which are very evident.

1Firſt, It carries in it a contempt of Providence. For there is the finger of God in every Hand which is lifted up againſt us; no Dog can move his Tongue againſt an Iſraelite, if God think fit to tye it; no man can ſo much as deſire our Land, Exod. 34.24.Exod 34:24if he would reſtrain and bridle their Affections. God can chain up the ambition, or the cruelty, the pride or the fury, which is in the hearts of Tyrants, tho he never intend to purge it out. Satan and all his Inſtruments, being God's priſoners, are limited & confined by him, according as he pleaſes; and therefore if they be in any meaſure let looſe, 'tis a ſpecial diſpenſation which calls us to bethink our ſelves. Neither the roaring Lyon, nor any other Beaſts of prey can go p. 7about, ſeeking whom they may devour, much leſs could they actually devour, if God would hedge them in. Without his permiſſion, the waſter cannot find in his heart to deſtroy, nor lay his deſign, Iſa. 54.16.Isa 54:16nor do any thing in order to its accompliſhment; for God hath created the waſter, as ſuch. It is in his power, when he will, to ſeal up the hand of every man; therefore,Job 37.7.Job 37:7 when wicked men are ſuffered to diſturb our peace, and we are put to defend our ſelves by force, 'tis an awakening ſummons to ſerious conſideration. He that could prevent Balaam from curſing his people, can as eaſily hinder other Adverſaries from aſſaulting them; he that moved the Officers in the Syrian Army to depart from Jehoſhaphat, after they had ſurrounded him,2 Chro. 18.31.2 Chr 18:31 is as able to keep them from coming nigh. The God, who gathers the wind in his fiſts, could block up the moſt threatening Fleets on their own ſhores; undoubtedly then, if he fill their Sails, and give them the opportunity of advancing towards ours, it ought to ſeize and affect our minds. 'Tis good to take heed, leſt in deſpiſing the opoſition of man ſometimes, we deſpiſe the Providence of God.

2Secondly, it diſcovers a want of Compaſſion to our Brethren. We know that the War now undertaken, is deſign'd for the relief of our Fellow-Proteſtants, as well as our own ſafety: ſo that if this ſhould fail and miſcarry, we cannot without horror reflect upon the fatal conſequences of it, with reſpect to them, as well as our ſelves. If the unclean Spirit be not caſt-out he will torment thoſe poor creatures ſo much the more, which are already under his power. If our Enemyes ſhould have the ſucceſſe which we pray againſt, it would make their little fingers thicker and heavier than their p. 8loins have yet been: and wo be to thoſe whom God ſhall give up to fall under half that weight. When Moſes and Aaron did but intercede with Pharoah: that the people of Iſrael might go and ſacrifice to God in the wilderneſs,Exod. 5.7.Exod 5:7 he preſently increas't their task, and multiplyed their burdens; what do we then ſuppoſe, that he would have done, if he could have overtaken them in his purſuit of them, and brought them back into his Land? It is a double deſtruction which our Brethren muſt look for, if God ſhould blaſt our attempts to ſave them. And beſides, they are our Brethren alſo, who adventure and expoſe their lives in this Cauſe, whether in the field, or the deep: they are many of them (as the tribes of Iſrael ſaid to David) our bone and our fleſh, 2 Sam. 5.1.2 Sam 5:1and their Death ſhould be precious in our ſight upon that account. How does every man, that really engages in this great Expedition, carry his ſoul in his hand, and throw himſelf upon the ſenſible brink of Eternity? Not one of thoſe many Thouſands knows, but that the price of his bloud may be written upon the mercy which is brought forth: ſhould we not therefore be very thoughtful about the gaining of that mercy, which multitudes may pay ſo dearly for? Is it nothing to us, that in all likelihood, the ſword muſt cut off ſo many of our Friends, before we are fully delivered from our Enemies? where is our Humanity and the ſounding of our bowels? are they all ſhut up?

5Thirdly, it betrayes want of zeal for the intereſt of Chriſt. There is a great deal more which lyes at ſtake this day, than perhaps we are all aware of at the firſt ſight: according as God ſhines upon our counſels, or overthrows them, according as he bleſſes, or defeats what is now doing, for ought we know, it may fare p. 9well or ill with the Proteſtant Religion, and with all that adhere to it: (at leaſt, all in theſe parts of the world.) God himſelf only is able to tell, how far the conſequence of this preſent action may extend, as to the raiſing or ruining, the Supporting or Extinguiſhing of the Reformed profeſſion. There is manifeſtly that upon the wheel, which as God is pleaſed to order and determine it, may turn the ſcale very much as to the fall of Sion or Babylon, the upholding of the Kingdom of Chriſt, or Antichrist, in Europe. The iſſue of it, is likely to be very glorious, or very diſmal: the Goſpel will either get or loſe much ground: Truth will be quite Eclips't and Swallowed up by Strong deluſions, or elſe prevail and triumph over them. Some where (Either in the Land of Judah, Iſa. 26.1.Isa 26:1or in the land of her Enemies) that Song will be ſung, We have a ſtrong City. If our Adverſaries ſhould be permitted to lift up their heads now, how will they trample our Holy faith under their feet? what havock and deſolations will they make, whereſoever the name of Chriſt is duly call'd upon? how would the Conqueſt of theſe Kingdomes, and of thoſe Provinces that have ſo ſeaſonably aſſiſted us (which God in mercy forbid) let them in like a flood upon the reſt of the true Chriſtian world? They would no longer ſay, let us break their bands in ſunder, but conclude, that they had broken them, and bid us in deriſion, to flee as a bird to our mountain. Pſal. 11.1.Ps 11:1This in the judgment of reaſon muſt follow, if God ſhould caſt the lot of Victory on their ſide: and therefore, is there not a cauſe for the deepeſt concernment? muſt we not be (like the Idols of our Enemies,) ſtocks and ſtones in deed, if we ſit ſtill and conſider p. 10nothing, when the All of our Religion ſeems Embarqu'd in this bottom?

II.

The Second thing, which I am to prove, is that Former rejection by God ſhould not diſcourage all Comfortable expectation of future aſſiſtance. The God that hath caſt us off heretofore (as we ſee here in the text) may ſtand by us, and joyn with us afterwards. We are not to think that the ſtream of adverſe Diſpenſations will never turn, or that he who ſeems to forget our miſery a while, will forget it always. If God hath been angry, we muſt not therefore fancy, that he is Implacable; if his fury hath burnt like fire, it is no argument, that this fire cannot be quenched. Such concluſions are very abſurd and irrational upon ſeveral accounts. I ſhall inſtance in five Particulars.

1Firſt, Providences in this world are very various. This is a changeable ſtate; the face of the Skie is not conſtantly alike, but ſometimes clear, and ſometimes lowring: 'tis neither always free from Clouds, nor always Covered with them. The Church from the beginning had her mixture of proſperous and afflictive dayes. As Job rebuk't his wife with ſaying, ſhall we receive good at the hands of God, Job 2.10.Job 2:10and not evil? ſo on the other hand we may comfort our ſelves with this, Have we received evil at Gods hands, and ſhall we not alſo receive good? (though there be this diſparity, that the one is freely beſtowed, and the other juſtly inflicted.) As it is groundleſs preſumption, when our mountain ſtands ſtrong, to ſay, we ſhall never be moved; ſo 'tis unreaſonable deſpair, when our Mountain hath been ſhaken, to ſay, we ſhall never be ſetled. Tho God is of one mind, and hath one general end, which is, to order and diſpoſe all things for the beſt, yet his Infinite wiſedom does not p. 11conſtantly obſerve one and the ſame method: ſometimes he glorifies himſelf, and does us good by our distreſſes, and at other times by our deliverance. The Beauty of Divine Providences conſiſts partly in their Variety: the work of God would be leſſe admirable,Eccleſ. 3.11.Eccl 3:11 and his glory leſſe viſible, if His people were continually either under Smiling, or frowning Diſpenſations.

2Secondly, God hath his peculiar ſet times of Executing judgment, and of ſhewing compaſſion. There is a time to correct, and there is likewiſe a time to favour: Pſal. 102.13.Ps 102:13as Solomon ſayes that there is a time of War, Eccl. 3.8.Eccl 3:8and a time of peace. God obſerves the proper ſeaſons of giving reſt, and cauſing trouble, of exerciſing us with Enemies, and reſcuing us from them; and this he is as careful to do, as to maintain and keep up the ſucceſſion of day and night, of the Summers heat, and the Winters cold. Our Heavenly Father knows that we have need of both, and he knows when we need them; ſo that our Tranquillity ſhall not be lengthned out too far, nor the rod of the oppreſſour remain too long, but theſe things ſhall take their turns, as God ſees moſt convenient for us.1 Cor. 15.23.1 Cor 15:23 What the Apoſtle ſays with reſpect to the Reſurrection, every man in his own order, may be accommodated to this caſe, every thing falls out in its own order; when one work is accompliſhed, God begins another; when we have been kept low long enough in the midſt of difficulties and ſtraits, he Commands enlargement to ariſe. Therefore, 'tis no ſtrange thing for God to remember mercy in wrath, and make light to ſhine out of darkneſs, Amos. 5.8.Amos 5:8and to turn the ſhadow of death into the morning.

p. 12Thirdly, It is no unuſual thing for mercy to contract a peoples ſufferings, and overrule the arguments which are brought by Juſtice. Though we cannot ſay, that God is ever really divided againſt himſelf, yet when he condeſcends to ſpeak of himſelf after our manner, and in compliance with our infirmity, we read of a kind of ſtruggling and contention between one Attribute and another.Hoſ. 11.8, 9.Hos 11:8Hos 11:9 How ſhall I give thee up, Ephraim? (ſays God by the Prophet) how ſhall I deliver thee, Iſrael? (as if he were vehemently preſs't to do it, and yet could not comply.) &c. My heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together; I will not execute the fierceneſs of mine anger, I will not return to deſtroy Ephraim, &c. The Righteouſneſs and the Goodneſs of God ſeemed here to be at variance, and after ſome diſpute (as it were) the Goodneſs of God reſolved to ceaſe that controverſie, which his Righteouſneſs might have continued; the people were bent to back ſliding from God, v. 7.and therefore Juſtice was inclined to puniſh them ſtill; but mercy (like the Angel which held Abraham's hand, when he was going to ſacrifice his Son) urg'd their forbearance, and prevailed. God is often provok't by a Nations ſins to prolong thoſe calamities, which he uſes his Prerogative of Grace in cutting ſhort. We generally deſerve that God ſhould pluck us down, and root us up, when on the contrary, 'tis his good pleaſure to build and to plant us. Indeed he never yet wrought any Salvation for his Church, but that at the ſame time, when he did ſo, he might have gone on in the way of his Judgments.

4Fourthly, There is the leſs reaſon to look upon former Rejections as final, when the cauſes of them p. 13are in ſome meaſure removed. Perhaps, God caſt us off before, for the ſake of ſome National wickedneſſes, which are at this day purg'd. It could not be expected, that God ſhould upon any occaſion fight for us, when the body of the people in the ſame manner which Gamaliel ſpoke of, were fighting againſt God. Acts 5.39.Acts 5:39While the Word of God (in a ſenſe) was bound, I mean, while the preaching of it was reſtrained, no wonder that God was as a man astonied, Jerem. 14.9.Jer 14:9and as a mighty man that could not ſave. It is in vain to hide that which is too publickly known, and calls for ſolemn Repentance; the ſin of Perſecution (that miſchief framed by a Law) was for many years, like Achan's accurſed thing in our Camps; but God having now by the hands of our Senators opened a door for the free progreſs of the Goſpel among our ſelves, one great obſtacle of our Succeſs againſt Foreign Enemies is taken out of the way. A Legal Indulgence to Tender Conſciences was as fit a preparative to this Faſt, as this Faſt is to the following War. I might add, that it may be, ſometimes God went not forth with our Hoſts, becauſe they went forth, not againſt our Popiſh, but our Proteſtant, Neighbours; when we were joyning with our Enemies againſt our Friends it was in Mercy to us, that God did not proſper us; when we have been helping thoſe who ſought our ruine, and weakening thoſe that were always our refuge in diſtreſs, the aſſistance of his Providence would have argued his diſpleaſure; but bleſſed be God, that now they who are Ʋnited with us in one Faith, are alſo joyned in one Intereſt and Cauſe, and therefore we may ſomewhat better expect God's Conjunction with us now than heretofore.

p. 145Fifthly, Thoſe bitter things which God hath formerly written againſt us, we may read a great deal of comfort in, upon our return to God. The Wine of aſtoniſhment which we have taſted, may now be made a refreſhing Cordial. For Executions of Treatenings (as One well obſerves) ſhould be taken as pawns of the performance of promiſes; the ſame unalterable Truth which binds to the one, will ſecure the other. We may be confident, that God was not more ready to forſake us during our Impenitency, than he is to receive us, when we repent. Past calamities while we were in our ſins, ſhould be improved to ſtrengthen our Faith of future mercies, when we turn from our ſins. If God hath in faithfulneſs afflicted us, Pſal. 119.75.Ps 119:75why ſhould we queſtion his Faithfulneſs in releiving us? We that have felt the laſhes of his angry rod, when we were running from him, ſhall undoubtedly experience the ſuccours of his mighty Arm, when we come back to him. Sinners, whoſe Tranſgreſſions have been viſited, are of all others the moſt likely to be pitied, when they become penitents. The remembrance of former wounds, ſeems to be an encouraging motive to the Church to look for a gracious Cure; Come, and let us return unto the Lord, Hoſ. 6.1.Hos 6:1for he hath torn, and he will heal us; q. d. he will heal the rather, becauſe he hath torn us. If God had not caſt us off before, we ſhould have more reaſon to be jealous, that he would do it now.

III.

The Third Thing which I undertook to ſhew, is that God's favourable help is of moſt importance to be deſired and obtained for the making of our Arms Victorious.

p. 15'Tis true, that ſecond Cauſes have their proper Sphere to Act in, but the first is infinitely above them. God does not accuſtom himſelf in theſe dayes to render means unneceſſary by Miracles, but he renders them efficacious by the concurrent exerciſe of his own power. As God does not raiſe up children to Abraham from the stones, but propagates an holy Seed in an ordinary way; ſo he does not defend us meerly by Inviſible Legions of Angels, when there are Men to be employed for ſuch a purpoſe. When God was about to make David King, in ſpite of all his oppoſers, he ſo turn'd the hearts of the Tribes of Iſrael, 1 Chro. 12.22.1 Chr 12:22that they came to him to help him day by day, till it was a great Hoſt, like the Host of God. He that rules in the Armies of Heaven, makes uſe of Armies upon Earth too, and manages their military acts for the fulfilling of his own ends. God ſpeaks of commanding, Iſa. 13.3, 4, 5.Isa 13:3Isa 13:4Isa 13:5and calling his ſanctified ones, and muſtering them for the battail, and making them the weapons of his indignation to destroy the Land of Babylon. Joſh. 5.14.Josh 5:14Jeſus Chriſt appeared as chief Captain of the Host of the Lord, when Joſhua was their viſible Leader. The ſword of the Lord had the preheminence,Judg. 7.18.Judg 7:18 when the ſword of Gideon was drawn alſo. Though David went as Champion againſt Goliah, he gives the glory of thoſe Titles to God, the Lord of Hoſts, the God of the Armies of Iſrael. 1 Sam. 17.45.1 Sam 17:45Therefore he cries out here in the Text to God, Wilt not thou go forth with our Hosts? alluding (as ſome conceive) to God's marching before the Iſraelites in the cloudy Pillar, Pſal. 68.7.Ps 68:7which was an Emblem and Token of his preſence. Indeed, 'tis the preſence or abſence of God, which makes the event of all Warlike Expeditions either good or bad; Deborah animates Barak with this, that p. 16Siſera would certainly fall into his hand, Judg. 4.14.Judg 4:14becauſe the Lord was gone out before him; and on the other ſide, the Pſalmiſt complains, that God made them turn back from the Enemy, Pſal. 44.9, 10.Ps 44:9Ps 44:10becauſe he went not along with them. Creatures like our ſelves, have their part to perform but Almighty Aids are the principal thing. Upon this account, Moſes was not contented with the guidance of an Angel, without the preſence of God himſelf; If thy preſence go not with me, Exod. 33.15.Exod 33:15carry us not up hence; implying, that it was to no purpoſe for them to move, if they left their God behind them. God's going forth with Armies, is eminently advantagious to them in ſeveral reſpects; which I ſhall reduce to theſe four Heads.

1Firſt, By enduing them with skill and prudence for their proper work. Multitudes of perſons are call'd to this ſervice, that were never trained up (it may be) by tedious diſcipline, nor have had opportunity of improving themſelves by frequent practiſe, according to the methods and rules of Art, whom God (nevertheleſs) can inſtruct to diſcretion in this employment, as he does the Husbandman in his.Iſa. 28.26.Isa 28:26 He who is wonderful in Counſel, v. 29.as well as excellent in working, does therefore many times chuſe even in this caſe, the fooliſh things of the World to confound the wiſe; men that have but little experience, and as little wiſdom of ſuch a ſort, to foil the greateſt Commanders with.1 Sam. 17.33.1 Sam 17:33 What was David but a raw ſtripling, that ran from the Sheepfold to the Camp; c. 18.5.and in a little while, he was ſet over the men of War, and made himſelf ſo famous, that the ſlaying of ten thouſands was aſcribed to him, v. 7.and but thouſands to Saul; the true cauſe of which is mentioned afterwards,v. 12. the Lord was with him. And David himſelf p. 17makes a particular acknowledgment of it,Pſal. 144.1.Ps 144:1 Bleſſed be the Lord my ſtrength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. He that underſtood only how to handle a Crook, or play upon a Harp, muſt needs be taught of God, when he came to meddle with weapons of War. God can make thoſe men conſiderable Helpers in a victorious Battel, whoſe Folly and Ignorance we might rather ſuſpect to hinder it.

2Secondly, By Inſpiring them with Courage. That God who hath put ſuch a Nature into the Horſe (which being a Brute, is not capable of the ſame impreſſions as a Man) that He mocketh at fear, Job 39.22, &c.Job 39:22and is not affrighted, neither turneth he back from the ſword, &c. What a vigour can he eaſily diffuſe by his unſeen influence into the ſpirits of reaſonable Creatures? It is thought, that Balaam refers to this, when he ſays concerning Jacob and Iſrael, Num. 23.21.Num 23:21the Lord his God is with him, and the ſhout of a King is among them. The Preſence of God with a People creates ſuch an extraordinary chearfulneſs and joy, as when a Juſt and Gracious Prince comes into the Field, and is receiv'd by his Subjects and Souldiers with Univerſal Acclamations; it fills them with ſuch Life, that they can look innumerable Deaths in the face, without paleneſs, or dejection; they value nothing that ſtands in their way, having the Encouragement of ſuch a Leader. There is no ſuch fortitude in the World, as that which proceeds from this very cauſe; the undaunted Chriſtian Souldier does far exceed the Roman; for a Divine Principle and Motive muſt needs carry men a great deal further than a Moral. What hardſhips will he rejoyce to endure, what dangers p. 18will he prepare to meet, who feels an Immanuel, God with him! How does this ſtrengthen mens Hearts and Hands, and raiſe them to a more than Heroick pitch! This quicken'd Jael (one of the feebler ſex) to do execution upon the mighty Siſera; and hath often prompted ſmall Handfuls of men to be the bold Aſſailants of the moſt unequal numbers.

3Thirdly, by the prevention of Enemies from making any remarkable reſistance. This God does, where he is preſent, two wayes; viz. in blinding, and terrifying of them.

1Firſt, In the blinding of Enemies. I do not mean Literally, as God did to the Sodomites, who would have offer'd violence to Lot, and to the King of Syria's Troopers that were ſent to apprehend Eliſha; but in confounding and perplexing of all their Counſels and Deſigns, and bereaving them of the uſe of that Wiſdom and cunning which they have. When Abſalom's Conſpiracy was grown strong againſt his Father, God ſecured David by turning the ſubtle and politick advices of Achitophel into fooliſhneſs; 2 Sam. 15.31.2 Sam 15:31and this was the way of Eſcape which David himſelf ſought for; becauſe if Abſalom had follow'd that courſe which Achitophel chalk't out, David in all probability had loſt the Kingdom. God firſt infatuates thoſe, whom he intends to overthrow; he ſhuts their Eyes that they may not find their hands; he throws their reaſon and judgment into a dead ſleep, and ſo hurries their distracted thoughts, that they cannot think one thought to their advantage. If God be on our ſide, he will make thoſe that are against us to take thoſe methods, whereby they ſhall destroy themſelves.

2Secondly, In the terrifying of them. There are p. 19many Inſtances of this in Scripture. The Egyptians had their Chariot wheels taken off in the Red Sea by Gods troubling of them,Exod. 14.24, 25.Exod 14:24Exod 14:25 and the dreadful apprehenſion of his fighting for Iſrael. And ſo it was propheſied many years after this, that Egypt ſhould tremble, Iſa. 19.16.Isa 19:16becauſe of the ſhaking of the hand of the Lord of hoſts. The Philiſtims were ſcared with the ſenſe of Gods coming into the Iſraelitiſh camp, 1 Sam. 4.7.1 Sam 4:7when they ſhouted at the arrival of the Ark. Saul was perfectly diſanimated, and loſt the Spirit which he once had, when God was departed from him; chap. 31.4.and in the end became his own murderer, for fear of dying by another. So eaſie a matter is it, for God to change the very tempers of men from the greateſt Courage, to the moſt ſordid and ſhameful cowardiſe; as is ſaid in the Prophet, the mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, Jer. 51.30.Jer 51:30they have remained in their holds, their might hath failed, they became as women. An Omnipotent God can in a moment take away the hearts of the ſtouteſt Enemies; and by that means diſ-able them from making that oppoſition which they would.

4Fourthly, By Ordering and Governing of thoſe things which appear moſt caſual and contingent unto us. Thoſe things which are wholly out of our power, God can make to ſerve his and our purpoſe. As the ſame Waters which ſtood up like a Wall for the Iſraelites of old, and fell down again for a Grave to the Egyptians; ſo God can now cauſe the ſame Sea to bear our Ships, and to bury theirs. A ſtorm, when he pleaſes, can bring about his end, and our deſire; and with this breath of his mouth, in the twinkling of an eye, he can do that, which many united p. 20hands cannot in the compaſs of weeks or months. Every bullet that's ſhot, ſhall enter where God directs it, and the ſteadieſt aims of men ſignifie nothing in compariſon of the Eye of God.

He that covers the heads of his Friends and Favorites, can lay open the bodies of his Enemies, as an appointed mark for Inſtruments of Cruelty. The Man that drew a bow at a venture, ſmote the King of Iſrael, though in a diſguiſe,1 King. 22.34.1 Kgs 22:34 between the joints of the Harneſs, becauſe it was God that guided the Arrow. So when the ſtone out of David's ſling ſunk into Goliah's forehead, which prov'd his mortal wound, and the routing of the whole Hoſt of the Philiſtims, we read, it was God that gave him into his peoples Hands.5 Sam. 17.47. Accidents ſeemingly moſt uncertain, as well as minute and inconſiderable, carry a great ſtroke in determining of Victories, when God goes forth with our Armies.

Well might therefore the Pſalmiſt conclude this Pſalm after ſuch a manner;ver. 12, 13. Give us help from trouble, for vain is the help of man; (not vain in conjunction with God, but vain without him). Through God we ſhall do valiantly (we are the immediate Agents, but he furniſhes with the active power, and brings forth the happy effect) for he it is that ſhall tread down our Enemies.

Ʋſe.

Having thus finiſhed the Doctrinal matter contained in theſe words, I come now to make ſome Practical Improvement of it, with a ſpecial reference to the Occaſion of this Day. This may be beſt done in the Anſwering of Two Questions; one of which tends to inform us of our preſent Duty, the other will ſupply us with Arguments to back it.

p. 21Quest. I.

The firſt Queſtion is, What ſhall we do, that our Pleadings with God in ſuch a Caſe, for his Conduct of us into Edom, and his Preſence with our Hoſts, may be effectual? Anſw. In ſix particulars.

1Firſt, A neceſſary Rule to be obſerved, is, to ſeek firſt the pardon of our paſt ſins, and Reconciliation to our offended God. This is the inlet and introduction to all other Mercies, which are Mercies indeed; therefore the Pſalmist does not onelyonly take notice of God's bringing back the captivity of Jacob, Pſ. 85.1, 2, 3.Ps 85:1Ps 85:2Ps 85:3but that he had forgiven the iniquity of his people, and taken away all his wrath. There is no true temporal Bleſſing, but what is the fruit of this ſpiritual one. A diſpleaſed God may providentially deliver an unpardoned People, but 'tis a Curſe to them, rather than a Bleſſing; their eſcape out of Calamity is a greater ſnare, than if they had fallen into it.Job 19.29.Job 19:29 Wrath brings the puniſhment of the Sword; if wrath therefore abides, after the Sword is put up, the Nation will be miſerable ſtill; if ſin (the cauſe of Wrath, as Wrath is of the Sword) lye at our doors, we are in a woful condition, though our houſes be ſafe from the fear of Enemies. But peace with God, is the foundation of abundance of Comfort in the moſt troublous times, and cauſes the ſoul to return unto its reſt, though the Ears be fill'd with the Alarms of War; for if God heal the Iniquities of a Land, we may confidently pray for the healing of its breaches, and having regain'd his favour, we are entitled to his protection.

2Secondly, Put away thoſe Sins, which would continue or revive the Enmity betwixt God and you. Remiſſion is beg'd and hoped for in vain, where Reformation is not both reſolv'd and practis'd. All your pleadings with God will be inſignificant, while your p. 22ſins do ſo loudly plead againſt you; their cry will be heard, and make God abſolutely deaf to yours. Complain not that your Enemies are lively, while your Luſts are ſo; If you would be delivered from the one, you muſt not deliver your ſelves up to the other. So long as the Idols are ſtanding in your hearts, your Idolatrous Adverſaries are not like to be blown down by your prayers. It is a faithful ſaying, that God neither hears a ſinner for himſelf, nor for the community, which he belongs to. Sin will make both our ſupplications and ſwords to return empty. Therefore Moſes warns the Jews, Deut. 23.9.Deut 23:9When the hoſt goeth forth againſt thine Enemies, then keep thee from every wicked thing; i. e. then eſpecially, above all other times.

3Thirdly, Link your pleas by Faith to the Interceſſions of Jeſus Christ. Faith ought to be found in all our wreſtlings with God, and fightings with men; or elſe we ſhall onelyonly beat the air in both. This is that which hath ſubdued Kingdoms, Heb. 11.33, 34.Heb 11:33Heb 11:34and diſperſed whole Armies of the Aliens. Ʋnbelief will ſpoil the good effects of our Repentance, and of all our other Duties and endeavours to pacify God, or defend our ſelves. Indeed we affront God more by diſtruſting him, than we can any other way. Now the beſt way to ſupport our Faith, and to ſecure the return of our Prayers, is to engage Chriſt as our Advocate with the Father. He is that Angel who pleaded for Judah and Jeruſalem, Zech. 1.12.Zech 1:12at the end of the Captivity in Babylon, and whom God immediately anſwered with good and comfortable words. Zech. 1.13.Zech 1:13If the hands of this Moſes be held up in the Mount for our Engliſh Iſrael, we ſhall certainly prevail againſt the Popiſh Amalek here in the Valley.

p. 234Fourthly, Eye not private Revenge, nor perſonal Safety in your Requeſts, but the Glory of God. A ſingle Eye, and a pure intention in the pouring out of Prayer upon ſuch publick occaſions, is the moſt material Circumſtance.Jam. 4.2, 3.Jas 4:2Jas 4:3 As men may luſt and have not, or fight and war, and yet have not, ſo they may ask and receive not, becauſe they ask amiſs. God will not work to gratifie our Malice and hatred of others, or to indulge our Love of Carnal Eaſe, but for the advancing of his own name. Let this worthy end be deſign'd by us, and God will be very ready to liſten to what we ſay, and to forward what we do: but if inſtead of being ſtirr'd up by unfeigned Zeal for God, we are tranſported with heat of Paſſion, and thirſt after Blood; we may juſtly look for a diſappointment. The Temper of David, when he prayed with reſpect to his Enemies, is very imitable; ſlay them not, Pſal. 59.11.Ps 59:11but ſcatter them, and bring them down, O Lord our ſheild. He did not deſire the death of theſe ſinners, but onelyonly the ſubverſion of their power: ſo ſhould we be very well contented, though God do give our Enemies a longer ſpace of Repenting, if he cut off their further opportunities of ſinning. Self muſt not be too much concern'd in any of our Petitions; we ſhould not aim ſo much at our own reſcue from fear and danger, as that the name of God may be lifted up above Blaſphemy and Reproach. Plead therefore for Victory with him, that you may be able to Triumph in his Praiſe.

5Fifthly, Be not too poſitive and peremptory, as to the time and manner of Deliverance from thoſe Enemies, whom our Hoſts do go againſt. For this is not pleading with God, but preſcribing to him. If we p. 24are ſupplicants for mercy, we ought not to be the chuſers of our own methods for receiving and enjoying it. Such things ſhould be freely left and ſubmitted to God, who is beſt able and hath moſt right to order and appoint them. To ſay, we would have Salvation juſt now, and in ſuch a way, whether God judge it expedient or no, is not to intreat with Humility, but to dictate with Confidence. If God Refuſe to joyn with ſome Inſtruments, and will have others put up in their room, we are not to murmur with impatience, but acquieſce with thankfulneſs. If God do not give in the Victory at the firſt Aſſault, but will make us wait for it, and hold out our expectations, till we are almoſt aſhamed, we ſhould be ſatisfied, and look upon the Divine will as the fitteſt rule and meaſure of our own. Particular Events perhaps many times may not be anſwerable to our deſires, but yet the final iſſue may.Heb. 11.30.Heb 11:30 By Faith (ſays the Apostle) the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compaſſed about ſeven dayes.

6Sixthly, Do not forfeit the benefit of Aſſiſtance and ſuccor from God, by ſinful trusting in man. There is a vaſt difference between making uſe of Armies and Navies, and placing our confidence in them. Ships and Souldiers muſt not be made our Gods; for this will provoke the true God to leave us to them, and withdraw himſelf; and, whoever they are that unite with us, or ſtand up for us, it may be truly ſaid, Wo unto us, Hoſ. 9.12.Hos 9:12if he departs from us. When we make Creatures the Objects of our Faith, they become the occaſions of our Miſery; and when we ſet them up as the Pillars of our Hope, they are turned into the Means of our ruine. It is the wretched folly of p. 25Mankind, that they know not how to keep Creatures in their due place; they cannot employ them, without depending on them.Iſa. 31.1.Isa 31:1 Wo to them (ſays God) that ſtay on horſes, and truſt in horſemen, but look not to the Holy one of Iſrael, neither ſeek the Lord; perhaps they ſeek him in appearance, while they are obſerving ſuch days as theſe, but indeed they onelyonly mock him; their applications to God are only a formality, becauſe they ſolely expect their deliverance from other hands. So commonly do we loſe the advantage of the Arm of the Lord, and break or wither our Arms of fleſh, by leaning too much upon them. The oftner we have committed this error heretofore, the more let us beware of it now.

Quest. II.

The Second Queſtion which I propoſed to anſwer, (and cloſe this ſubject with) is, what encouragements have we to hope, that God may go forth with our hoſts, and bring us into the ſtrong Cities of our Enemies, upon our taking of ſuch a courſe, as hath been before directed? I ſhall mention three things to this purpoſe, and Conclude.

1The firſt ground of hope which we have, is this, that the people are God's, for whom this War is undertaken; the body of them are his by Profeſſion, and many (I doubt not) among them are his in reality. Our Enemies cannot ſay ſo much; for they are not of the Church of God, but of the Synagogue of Satan; as they themſelves are bad, ſo their very profeſſion is Anti-Christian. We may take with us the words of the Jews in reference to their Enemies, we are thine, Iſa. 63.19.Isa 63:19thou never bareſt rule over them. They have put themſelves p. 26under another head, who exalteth himſelf above all that is called God; they make mention of the names, of Saints and Angels, and not of Gods only. They are the open Enemies of the true Faith of Chriſt, while we are (at leaſt) the viſible Aſſerters and maintainers of it. Hence we can plead a relation to God, which they cannot, and we have large experience of His Affection to us, beyond moſt people in the World. There are many things which confirm this truth, that the Lord loveth our Nation; and therefore we may hope, that he will deliver us, becauſe he delights in us; ſo that theſe Kingdoms which have been his reſt ſo long, may be his reſt for ever. This is David's argument in this very Pſalm, ver. 6.That thy beloved may be delivered, &c.

2The ſecond thing which we may take ſome comfort in, is that the Cauſe is God's. It is not like the unjust and uſual Quarrels among Neighbouring Princes, where great injuries are oftentimes falſly pretended, but the enlarging of their Empire and Dominion is cheifly aimed at, and in order to it, the Lives of their innocent Subjects are ſacrificed by heaps. Here we may juſtly ſay, that the Honour of God and the welfare of his Church, beſides other leſſer matters of common Equity, are concern'd; and for this reaſon we may the better expect, that the Battle will be the Lords, and that he will manage it to his own glory, and our advantage. The bloody Tyrant againſt whom this War is declared, and our Arms are levelled, hath made it his buſineſs and ſcope for many years upon that Throne of iniquity where he ſits, to blot out the name of a Reformed Church from under Heaven; and therefore God p. 27(whoſe work it is to protect and vindicate the Church from and againſt her great Oppreſſors) muſt needs be intereſted in this affair.Pſal. 7.13.Ps 7:13 He ordaineth his arrows againſt the Perſecutors. Surely then ſo great a perſecutor as that Nimrod hath been, ſhould receive the largest portion in God's Quiver. While Proteſtant Princes and States (together with others) are provok't by his moſt barbarous violences to pour out their Vials of deſerved wrath upon him, we then may alſo hope, that at the ſame time Heaven will inflict the vengeance of the Temple.

3The third and laſt thing (which I ſhall hint) from whence we may gather ſome encouragement, is this, that the work already begun, is God's. What the Prophet ſays, is applicable to this time,Zech. 2.13.Zech 2:13 the Lord is raiſed up out of his Holy habitation. The great things which he hath done for us, may embolden us to believe, that (as Chriſt told Nathaniel) we ſhall ſee greater things then theſe; John 1.50.John 1:50and that this is but a day of ſmall things in compariſon of what we have yet to come, (unleſs our wretched folly and ingratitude prevent.) I would hope, that in our late Deliverance God laid the foundation of a glorious structure, and that our Adverſaries (who perhaps yet think to cauſe the work to ceaſe) ſhall never be under any temptation to ſay, he began to build, but was not able to finiſh. When God ſaved us a few months ſince,Revel. 11.11, 12.Rev 11:11Rev 11:12 we were (like the riſing Witneſſes) ſet upon our feet; but there is a voice of Providence to follow, which will call us up to heaven, i. e. into a more triumphant ſtate, though upon Earth ſtill. It is not very probable, that he who excites us ſo often to the perfecting of holineſs, will deſiſt himſelf from p. 28the perfecting of Mercy. Though our goodneſs too often is like the morning Cloud, which ſcatters a few drops (it may be) and rowls away, yet God's it not ſo; therefore as he rested not till he had compleated the whole Host of Creatures at the firſt, ſo now we may have ſome comfortable expectation of his going on, till he hath fully reſtored the peace and proſperity of his people. He that hath hitherto ſo remarkably prevented our deſtruction, is the ſame God, whom we at this day ſeek unto for the working out of our Salvation.

THE END.

Advertiſement.

Books Printed for John Salusbury.

THE Period of Humane Life, determined by the Divine Will, by T. Cruſo.

The Mighty Wonders of a Merciful Providence, in a Sermon Preached on January the 31th. 1688. Being the day of publick Thankſgiving to God for the great Deliverance of this Kingdom, by His Highneſs the Prince of Orange, by T. Cruſo.

The Uſefulneſs of Spiritual Wiſdom with a Temporal Inheritance. By the ſame Author.

A Rational Defence of Non-Conformity, wherein the practice of Non-Conformiſts is vindicated from promoting Popery, and Ruining the Church, by Dr. Rule.

End of the text · Timothy Cruso, The Churchs Plea for the Divine Presence to Prosper Human Force (1689)