Divine Conduct, Head 5 · Motive 10
The Tenth Motive.
LAstly, The ConsideratJon and study of Providence will be of singular use to us in a dying hour. Hereby we treasure up that which will singularly sweeten our death to us, and greatly assist our faith in the last encounter. You find when Jacob dyed, what reflections he had upon the dealings of God with him in the various Providences of his life. See Gen. 4. 8. 3, 7, 15, 16. In like manner you …ind Joshua recording the Providences of God when at the brink of the grave: they were the subject of his dying discourse. Josh. 24. And I cannot but think it a sweet close to the life of any Christian: It must needs sweeten a death-bed to recount there the several remarkable passages of God's care and love to us from our beginning to that day: to reflect upon the mercies that went along with us all the way, when we are come to the end of it. O Christians, treasure up these instances for such a time as that is; that you may go out of the world blessing God for all the goodness and truth he hath performed to you all your life long. Now the meditations of these things must needs be of great use in that day, if you consider the following particulars.
The time of Death is the time when Souls are usually most violently assaulted by Satan with horrid temptations and black suggestions. We may say of that …igurative, as it's said of▪ the natural Serpent, nunquam nisi morJens, producitur in longum, He never exerts his utmost rage till the last encounter; and then his great design is to perswade the Saints, that God loves them not, hath no care nor regard for them, nor their cryes; though they pray for ease and cry for sparing mercy, they see none comes. He handles them with as much roughness and severity as other men; yea, many of the vilest and most dissolute wretches endure less torments, and are more gently handled than they. Psal. 73. 4. there are no bands in their death, when as thou must go through a long lane of sickness to the grave, and endure many deaths in one.
But what credit can these plausible tales of Satan obtain with a Christian who hath been treasuring up all his life long the memorJals of God's tender regard both to his wants and prayers, and that hath care…ully remarked the evident returns of his prayers, and gracious condescensions of God to him …rom his beginning to that moment? In this case his saith is mightily assisted by thousands of experiences which back and encourage it, and will not suffer the soul to give up so easily a truth which he hath so often sensibly felt and tasted. I am sure (saith he) God hath had a tender fatherly care of me ever since I became his: he never failed me yet in any former strait; and I cannot believe he will do so now. I know his love is like himself, unchangeable. Job. 13. 1. having loved his own which were in the world he loved them unto the end: for this God is our God for ever and ever, he will be our guide even unto death. Psal. 48. 14. Did he love me in my youth, and will he cast me off in my decrepit age? O God, (saith the Psalmist) thou hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works, now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, forsake me not, Psal. 71. 17, 18.
At death the Saints are engaged in the last, and one of the most eminent works of faith, even the committing themselves into the hands of God, when we are lanching forth into that vast Eternity, and entring into that new state which will make so great a change upon us in a moment. In this Christ sets us a pattern, Luke 23. 46. Father into thy hands I commend my spirit; and having said thus he gave up the Ghost. So Stephen at his death, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and immediately fell asleep, Act. 7. 59.
There be two signal and remarkable acts of faith, both exceedingly difficult, viz. its first act, and its last. The first is a great venture that it makes of it self upon Christ: and the last is a great venture too, to cast it self into the Ocean of Eternity upon the credit of a Promise. But yet I know the first adventure of the Soul upon Christ is much more difficult than the last adventure upon death; and that which makes it so is in great measure, the manifold recorded experiences that the Soul hath been gathering up from the day of its espousals to Christ unto its dying which is (in a sense) its marriage day. Oh with what encouragement may a Soul throw himself into the arms of that God with whom he hath so long conversed and walked in this world! Whose visits have been sweet and frequent, with whom the soul hath contracted so intimate acquaintance in this world; whom it hath committed all its affairs to formerly, and still …ound him a faithful God; and now hath no reason to doubt, but it shall find him so in this last distress and exigence also.
At death the people of God receive the last mercies that ever they shall receive in this world by the hand of Providence, and are immediately to make up their Accounts with God …or all the mercies that ever they received from his hand. What can be more suitable therefore to a dying person, than to recount with himself the mercies of his whole life, the manifold receipts of favour for which he is to reckon with God speedily: and how shall this be done without a due and serious observation and recording of them now? I know there are thousands of mercies forgotten by the best of Christians: a memory of brass cannot contain them: And I know also that Jesus Christ must make up the Account for us, or it will never pass with God; yet it is our duty to keep the Accounts of our own mercies, and how they have been improv'd by us, for we are Stewards, and then are to give an Account of our Stewardship.
At death we owe an Account also to men, and stand obliged (if there be opportunity for it) to make known to them that survive us what we have seen and found of God in this world, that we may leave a testimony for God with men, and bring up a good report upon his ways. Thus dying Jacob when Joseph was come to take his last farewell of him in this world, strengthened himself and sate upon the bed, and related to him the eminent appearances of God to him, and the places where, Gen. 48. 2, 3. as also an account of his afflictions, Verse 7. So Joshua in his last speech to the people makes it his business to vindicate and clear the truth of the Promises, by recounting to them how the Providence of God had fulfill'd the same to a tittle in his day. Josh. 23. 14. And behold (saith he) this day I am going the way of all the earth, and ye know in all your hearts, and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.
And certainly 'tis of great importance to the world, to understand the Judgements, and hear of the Experiences of dying men. They of all men are presumed to be most wise and most serious: Besides, this is the last opportunity that ever we shall have in this world to speak for God. O then what a sweet thing would it be to close up our lives with an honourable Account of the ways of God! to go out of the world blessing him for all the mercies and truth which he hath here performed to us! how would this encourage weak Christians, and convince the Atheistical world, that verily there is a reality and an excellency in the ways and people of God!
At death we begin the Angelical life of praise and thanksgiving. We then enter upon that everlasting sweet employment; and as I doubt not but the Providences in which we were concerned in this world will be a part of that Song which we shall sing in Heaven, so certainly it will become us to tune our hearts and tongues for it whil'st we are here, and especially when we are ready to enter upon that blessed state. O therefore let it be your daily meditation and study what God hath been to you, and done for you, from the beginning of his way hitherto.
And thus I have spread before you some encouragements to this blessed work. Oh that you would be perswaded to this lovely and every way bene…icial practice. This I dare presume to say, that whoever finds a careful and a thankful heart to record and treasure up the daily experiences of God's mercy to him, shall never want new mercies to record to his dying day. It was said of ClaudJan that he wanted matter suitable to the excellency of his parts; but where is the head or heart that is suitable to this matter? who can utter the mighty works of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise? Psal. 106. 2.
Thus I have through the aid of Providence dispatched the main design I aimed at in the choice of this subject. All that remains will now be speedily finished in some few Corollaries to be brie…ly noted upon the whole, and three or four practical Cases to be stated. You have heard how Providence per…ormeth all things for you▪ Learn thence,
First Corollary.
THat God is therefore to be owned by you in all that befalls you in this world, whether it be in … way of success and comfort, or of trouble and afflictJon. O 'tis your duty to observe his hand and disposal: When God gives you comforts, 'tis your great evil not to observe his hand in them. Hence was that charge against Israel, …os. 2. 8. She did not know that I gave her Corn and Wine and Oil, and multiplJed her Silver and Gold (i. e.) she did not actually and affectionately consider my care over her and goodness to her, in these mercies. And so for afflictions, 'tis a great wickedness, when God's hand is listed up not to see it. Isa. 26. 11. The Ox knows his owner, and the Ass his masters crib, Isa. 1. 3. the most dull and stupid creatures know their benefactors. O look to the hand of God in all; and know, that neither your comforts nor afflictions do arise out of the dust, or spring up out of the ground.
Second Corollary.
IF God perform all things for you, how great is his condescensJon to and care over his people! What is man (saith Job, chap. 7. v. 17, 18.) that thou shouldst magnifJe him, and set thine heart upon him? and that thou shouldst visit him every morning, and try him every moment? Such is his tender care over you that he withdraws not his eye from you. See Job 36. 7. lest any hurt you, he himself will guard and keep you day and night. Isa. 27. 3. Should he withdraw his eye or hand one moment from you, that moment would be your ruine. Ten thousand evils watch but for such an opportunity, to rush in upon you, and destroy you and all your com…orts. You, are too dear to him to be trusted in any hand but his own. Deut. 33. 3. All his Saints are in thy hand.
Third Corollary.
LEarn hence how you are obliged to perform all dutJes and services for God, who performeth all things for you. It was the wish of a good man, optarem id me esse Deo, quod est mihi manus mea, Oh that I could be to God what my hand is to me, Viz. a serviceable useful instrument. Shall God do all things for you, and will you do nothing for God? Is Providence every moment at work for you, and will you be idle? To what purpose then is all that God hath done for you? Is it not the aim and design of all, to make you a fruitful people? If God plant, and fence, and water you by Providence, sure he looks you should bring forth fruit. Isa. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4. O that in return for all the benefits of Providence, you would say to God, as grateful Elisha said to the Shunamite, behold thou hast been careful for us with all this care, what is to be done for thee? 2 Kings 4. 13. and with David, Psal. 116. 12. what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me! He is ever doing you good; be you always abounding in his work. His Providence stands by you in your greatest distresses and dangers; don't you flinch from God when his service and your duty is compassed about with difficulties. O be active for that God who is acting every moment for you.
Fourth Corollary.
DOth God perform all things for his people? Do not distrust him then as often as new or great difficultJes arise. Why should you think he that hath done so many things for you, will now do no more? Surely, the Lords hand is not shortned that it cannot save, nor his ear heavy that it cannot hear; if any thing put a stop to his mercy, 'tis your iniquities, your distrust and infidelity. Isa. 59. 1. How long will it be ere you belJeve him? If a thousand and ten thousand of tryals and experiences of his tender care, faithfulness and love will cure this distemper in you, you have them at hand to do it. If the frequent confutations of this your distrust by the unexpected breakings out of mercy for you under like discouragements will cure it, look back and you may see them. Certainly you have been often forced by Providence with shame and repentance to retract your rash censures of his care; and yet will you fall into the same distemper again? Oh that you would once learn this great truth, That no man ever wanted that mercy, which he wanted not an heart to trust and wait quietly upon God for. You never yet sought God in vain, except when you sought him vainly.
The Fi…th Corollary.
DOth God perform all things for you?…onsilia & …reces non … fine adhi…eri, ut dei, … h a ec quasi …mpedimen…, muten…r decreta … destin… … provi…nti…e. e cur…s in…ibe…ur: sed … obsequi…i divin…e …, & …suetum …viden… ordi… obser…do, con…ntia …nquill… …, & spe … im…atur. …ende… Theol. …186. then seek God for all by prayer, and never undertake any design without him: Certainly, if he do not perform it for you, you can never have what you desire and labour …or: and though he have designed to perform this or that mercy for you, yet for these things he will be enquired of that he may do it for you: Ezek. 36. 37. I reckon that business as good as done, that mercy as good as if it were in hand, that trouble as good as over, for the doing, enjoying, or removing whereof we have engaged God by prayer. 'Tis our …olly to engage this instrument and that for us, to attempt this way and that to compass our design, and all the while forget him upon whose pleasure all instruments and means entirely depend. That which begins not with prayer, seldom winds up with comfort. The way of man is not in himself; if it were, prayer might then be reckon'd lost labour. O let him that performs all, be owned and acknowledged in all.
The sixth Corollary.
LAstly, If God perform all things for us, then it is our great Interest and concernment in all things to study to please him, upon whom we depend for all things.
It is a grave and weighty observation of Chrysostome. Chrys. Hom… in 2 Cor. 7Nothing (saith he) should be grievous and bitter to a Christian, but to provoke the displeasure of God. Avoid that, and no affliction or trouble whatever can cast down such a prudent Soul; but even as a spark is easily extinguish'd in the Sea, so will the favour of God extinguish those troubles. It is with such a Soul (saith he) as it is with the Heavens; we think the Heavens suffer when they are over-spread with clouds, and the Sun suffers when it is eclipsed; but there is no such thing, they suffer not when they seem to suffer. Tranquillus Deus, tranquillat omnJa. Every thing is well, and shall be well, when all is well betwixt us and God. The great consolation of the Saints lyes in this, that all that concerns them is in the hands of their father. Pene desperassem nisi Christus esset caput EcclesJae. I had utterly despair'd (said Luther) had not Christ been head of the Church. When he that performs all things is our God, even our God that delights in our prosperity, that rejoyces over us to do us good, what ample security is here in the greatest confusions and dangers? When one told Bouromeus that there were some that laid wait for his life, his answer was, An Deus est in mundo pro nihilo? What, is God in the World for nothing? And as notable was the reply of SilentJarJus in a like case, si Deus mei curam non habet, quid vivo? If God take no care of me, how do I live, how have I subsisted hitherto? Though it seems a Romance to many (saith a late grave Author) yet we must either quit the Scripture,…thor of … fulfil…g of …ripture. …ar. pag. …3. or give credit to this, that the most infallible Rules for one to raise his fortune and ensure a destiny that can controul the stars, are given forth there (viz. in the Scriptures) where that evidently is found, Sapiens dominabitur Astris, & quomodo unusquis que faber potest esse fortunae suae. A good man may even be his own Carver. O that we would but steer our course according to those rare politicks of the Bible, those divine Maxims of Wisdom. Fear nothing but sin. Study nothing so much as how to please God. Warp not from your integrity under any temptation. Trust God in the way of your duty. These are sure Rules to secure your selves and your Interest in all the Vicissitudes of this life.
MY last work will be to state three or four practical cases about this subject, and so I shall shut up this discourse of Providence.