Good Thoughts in Bad Times, Part 2

Good Thoughts in Bad Times · Part 2

p. 67SCRIPTURE-Observations.

I

LORD,

IN the Parable of the four sorts of Ground whereon the Seed was sowen, the Matth. 13.8.Matt 13:8last alone proved fruitfull. There, the bad were more then the good: But amongst the Servants p. 68Two improved their **Matth. 25.18.Matt 25:18Talents, or Pounds, and **Luke 19.20.Luke 19:20One onelyonly buried them. There the Good were more then the Bad. Again, amongst the ten Virgins, five were wise, and five **Matth. 25.2.Matt 25:2Foolish: There the Good and Bad were Equall. I see that concerning the number of the Saints, in Comparison to the Reprobates, no Certainty can be collected from these Parables. p. 69Good Reason, for it is not their Principall purpose to meddle with that point. Grant that I may never rack a Scripture Similie, beyond the true intent thereof. Lest instead of Sucking Milk, I squeez Blood out of it.

II.

Lord,

THou didst intend from all Eternity, to make Christ the p. 70Heire of all. No danger of disinheriting him, thy onelyonly Sonne, and so well deserving. Yet thou sayest to him. **Psal. 2.8.Ps 2:8Aske of me and I will give thee, the Heathen for thine inheritance, &c. This Homage he must do, for thy Boon to beg it. I see thy goodnesse delights to have thy favours sued for, expecting we should crave, what thou intendest we shall have; p. 71That so, though we cannot give a full price, we may take some paines for thy favours, and obtain them, though not for the merit, by the Meanes of our Petitions.

III.

Lord,

I Find that Ezekiel is in his Prophesies, stiled Ninety Times, and more, by this Appellation, Sonne of p. 72man, and yet surely, not once oftner then there was need for. For he had more Visions then any one (not to say then all) of the Prophets of his Time. It was necessary therefore, that his Mortall Extraction should often be sounded in his Eares, Sonne of man, lest his frequent Conversing with Visions, might make him mistake himself, to be some Angell. Amongst p. 73other Revelations, it was therefore needfull, to reveale him to himself; Sonne of man, lest seeing many Visions might have made him blind with spirituall Pride. Lord, as thou increasest thy Graces in me, and Favours on me, so with them daily increase in my soul the Monitors, and Remembrancers of my Mortal…ty. So shall my Soul be kept in a p. 74good Temper, and humble deportment towards thee.

IV.

Lord,

I Read how **Gen. 28 22.Gen 28:22Iacob (then onelyonly accompanied with his staffe) vowed at Bethell, that if thou gavest him but Bread and Rayment, he would make that place thy House. After his return, the Condition on thy side, was overperformed, but the p. 75Obligation on his part, wholy neglected: For when thou hadst made his Staffe to swell, and to break into two Bands, he, after his return, turn'd **Gen. 33 19.Gen 33:19Purchaser, bought a field in Shalem, intending there to set up his rest. But thou art pleased to be his Remembrancer in a new Vision, and to spur him afresh, who tired in his Promise. **Gen. 35 1.Gen 35:1Arise, go to Bethell and make p. 76there an Altar, &c. Lord, if rich Iacob forgot what poor Iacob did promise, no wonder if I be bountifull to offer thee, in my affliction, what I am niggardly to perform in my Prosperity. But O! take not advantage of the forfeitures, but be pleased to demand Payment once againe. Pinch me into the Remembrance of my promises, that so I p. 77may reinforce my old Vows with new Resolutions.

V.

Lord,

I Read when our Saviour was examined in the High Priests Hall, that Peter stood without, till Iohn (being his **Iohn. 18.16.John 18:16Spokes-man to the Maid that kept the door) procured his Admission in. Iohn meant to let him out p. 78of the Cold, and not to let him in to a Temptation, but his Courtesie in Intention, prov'd a mischief in Event, and the Occasion of his denying his Master. O let never my Kindnesse concurre in the Remotest degree, to the dammage of my friend. May the Chain which I sent him for an Ornament, never prove his Fetters. But if I should p. 79be unhappy herein, I am sure thou wilt not Punish my Good will, but pitty my ill successe.

VI.

Lord,

THe Apostle saith to the **1 Cor. 10.13.1 Cor 10:13Corinthians, God will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able. But how comes he to Contradict himself, by his own Confession, in his next Epistle? p. 80Where, speaking of his own sicknesse, he saith, **2 Cor. 1 8.2 Cor 1:8We were pressed out of Measure above strength. Perchance this will be expounded by propounding another Riddle of the same Apostles: Who praising **Rom. 4.18.Rom 4:18Abraham, saith, that against hope, he beleeved in hope. That is, against Carnall Hope, he beleeved in Spirituall Hope. So the same wedge, will serve to cleave the former p. 81difficulty. Paul was pressed above his Human, not above his Heavenly Strength. Grant Lord, that I may not mangle, and dismember thy Word, but study it intirely, comparing one Place with another: For Diamonds onelyonly can cut Diamonds, and no such Comments on the Scripture, as the Scripture.

p. 82VII.

Lord,

I Observe that the vulgar Translation, reads the Apostles Precept thus, **2 Pet. 1 10.2 Pet 1:10Give diligence to make your Calling, and Election sure by Good Works. But in our English Testaments these words by Good Works are left out. It grieved me at the first to see our Translation defective, but it offended p. 83me afterwards, to see the other Redundant. For those words are not in the Greek, which is the Originall. And it is an ill work, to put Good Works in, to the Corruption of the Scripture. Grant, Lord, that though we leave Good Woorks out in the Text, we may take them in, in our Comment. In that Exposition which our Practice is to make p. 84on this Precept, in our Lives and Conversations.

VIII.

Lord,

I Find the Genealogie of my **Matth. 1.7, 8.Matt 1:7Matt 1:8Saviour, strangely Chequered with four remarkable Changes in four immediate Generations.

1 Rehoboham begat Abiam ▪ that is, a p. 85bad Father, begat a bad Son.

2 Abiam begat Asa; that is, a bad Father, a good Sonne.

3 Asa begat Iehosaphat; that is, a good Father a good Sonne.

4 Iehosaphat begat Ioram; that is, a good Father, a bad Sonne.

I see Lord, from hence that my Fathers Piety cannot be entailed; p. 86that's bad News for me. But I see also, that Actuall Impiety is not always hereditary; that's good News for my Sonne.

IX.

Lord,

WHen in my daily Service I read Davids Psalmes, Give me to alter the Accent of my soul, according to their severall Subjects: In such Psalmes, wherein he p. 87confesseth his Sinnes, or requesteth thy Pardon or praiseth for former, or prayeth for future favours, in all these give me to raise my soul to as high a pitch as may be. But when I come to such Psalms, wherein he curseth his Enemies, O there let me bring my soul down to a lower note. For those words were made only to fit Davids mouth▪ I have the like breath, p. 88but not the same Spirit to pronounce them. Nor let me flatter my self, that it is lawfull for me, with David, to curse thine Enemies, lest my deceitfull heart intitle all mine Enemies to be Thine, and so what was Religion in David, prove Malice in me, whil'st I act Revenge under the Pretence of Piety.

p. 89X.

Lord,

I Read of the two Witnesses, **Rev. 11 7.Rev 11:7And when they shall have finished their Testimony, the Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomlesse Pit, shall make Warre against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. They could not be kil'd whil'st they were doing, but when they had done their worke, during p. 90their imployment they were invincible. No better Armour against the darts of Death, then to be busied in thy Service. Why art thou so heavie, O my soul? No Malice of man can Antidate my end a Minute, whil'st my maker hath any work for me to do. And when all my daily task is ended, why should I grudge then to go to Bed?

p. 91XI.

Lord,

I Read at the Transfiguration that **Matth. 17.1.Matt 17:1Peter, Iames, and Iohn, were admitted to behold Christ; but Andrew was excluded. So again at the reviving of the daughter of the ruler of the **Mark. 5.37.Mark 5:37Synagogue, these three were let in, and Andrew shut out. Lastly, in the **Mark. 14.33.Mark 14:33Agony, the aforesaid three, were p. 92called to be witnesses thereof and still Andrew left behind. Yet he was Peters Brother, and a good man, and an Apostle, why did not Christ take the two pair of Brothers? was it not pitty to part them? But me thinks I seem more offended thereat, then Andrew himself was, whom I find to expresse no discontent, being pleased to be accounted a loyall Subject for the generall, p. 93though he was no favourite in these particulars. Give me to be pleased in my self, and thankfull to thee, for what I am, though I be not equall to others in personall perfections. For such peculiar Priviledges are Courtesies from thee when given, and no Injuries to us when denyed.

p. 94XII.

Lord,

Saint Paul teacheth the Art of heavenly thrift, how to make a new Sermon of an Old. Many (**Phil. 3.18.Phil 3:18 saith he) walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping, that they are Enemies to the Crosse of Christ. Formerly he had told it with his Tongue, but now with his Tears, formerly he taught it p. 95with his words, but now with his weeping. Thus new affections make an old Sermon new. May I not, by the same proportion, make an old Prayer new? Lord, thus long I have offered my Prayer drye unto thee, now, Lord, I offer it wet. Then wilt thou own some new Addition therein, when, though the Sacrifice be the same, yet the dressing of it, p. 96is different, being steep't in his Tears, who bringeth it unto thee.

XIII.

Lord,

I Read of my Saviour, That when he was in the wildernesse, **Matth. 4.11.Matt 4:11then the Devill leaveth him, and behold Angels came and Ministred unto him. A great change in a little time. No twilight betwixt p. 97night and day. No Purgatory-condition betwixt Hell and Heaven, but instantly, when Out Devill, In Angell. Such is the Case of every solitary Soul. It will make Company for it self. A musing mind will not stand Neuter a Minute, but presently side with Legions of good or bad thoughts. Grant therefore, that my soul, which ever will have some, p. 98may never have bad Company.

XIV.

Lord,

I Read how Cushi, and Ahimaaz ran a Race, who first should bring Tidings of Victory to David▪ Ahimaaze, though last setting forth, came first to his Journeys end; Not that he had the fleeter feet, but the better brains, to chuse the way of most p. 99advantage. For the Text **2 Sam. 18.23.2 Sam 18:23saith, So Ahimaaz ranne by the way of the Plain, and overwent Cushi. Prayers made to God by Saints, fetch a needlesse compasse about. That is but a rough and un-even way. Besides one Steep Passage therein, questionable whether it can be climbed up, and Saints in Heaven, made sensible of what we say on Earth. The p. 100way of the plain, or plain way, both shortest, & surest is, Call upon me, in the time of Trouble. Such Prayers, (though starting last) will come first to the Mark.

XV.

Lord,

THis morning, I read a Chapter in the Bible, and therein observ'd a memorable Passage, whereof I never took p. 101notice before. Why now, and no sooner did I see it? Formerly, my Eyes were as open, and the Letters as Legible. Is there not a thin Vaile laid over thy Word, which is more rarified by Reading, and at last wholly worn away? Or was it because I came with more appetite then before? The Milk was alwayes there in the brest, but the Child till now p. 102was not Hungry enough to find out the Teat. I see the Oile of thy Word will never leave Increasing whil'st any bring an empty Barrell. The Old Testament, will still be a New Testament to him, who comes with a fresh desire of Information.

XVI.

Lord,

AT the first **Exod. 12.41.Exod 12:41Passeover, God p. 103kept touch with the Hebrews very Punctually: At the end of the four hundred and thirty yeers, in the self same day it came to passe, that all the Hosts of the Lord went out of the Land of Egypt. But at the first Easter God was better then his word. Having promised, that Christ should lye but three dayes in the Grave, his Fatherly Affection did runne to relieve p. 104him. By a Charitable Synechdoche, two pieces of dayes were counted for whole ones. God did cut the work short in **Rom. 9.28.Rom 9:28righteousnesse. Thus the Measure of his Mercy under the Law was full, but it ranne over in the Gospell.

XVII.

Lord,

THe **Heb. 13 5.Heb 13:5Apostle diswadeth the Hebrews from Covetousnesse, p. 105with this Argument, because God said, I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee. Yet I find not, that God ever gave this Promise to all the Jews, but he spake it onelyonly to **Iosh. 1.5.Josh 1:5Ioshua when first made Commander against the Canaanites. Which, (without violence to the Anallogie of faith) the Apostle applyeth to all good men in generall. Is it so that p. 106we are Heirs apparant to all promises made to thy Servants in Scripture. Are the Charters of Grace granted to them, good to me? Then Will I say with Iacob **Gen. 45 28.Gen 45:28I have enough. But because I cannot intitle my self to thy promises to them, except I immitate their piety to thee; Grant I may take as much Care in following the one, as Comfort by applying the oth…r.

p. 107XVIII.

Lord,

I Read that thou didst make **Gen. 1.12.Gen 1:12Grasse, Hearbs, & Trees, the third day. As for the Sunne, **Gen. 1.16.Gen 1:16Moon, and Stars, thou madest them on the fourth day of the Creation. Thus at first thou didst confute the folly of such, who maintain that all Vegetables in their growth, are inslaved to a Necessary, p. 108and unavoidable dependance on the Influences of the Starres. Whereas Plants were even when Planets were not. It is false, that the Mary-gold follows the Sunne, whereas rather the Sunne follows the Mary-gold, as made the day before him. Hereafter I will admire thee more, and fear Astrologers lesse; Not affrighted with p. 109their dolefull predictions of Dearth and Drowth, collected from the Complexions of the Planets. Must the Earth of Necessity be Sad, because some ill-natured Starre is Sullen? as if the Grasse Could not grow without asking it leave. Whereas thy power, which made Hearbs, before the Starres, can preserve them without their propitions, yea, p. 110against their Malignant Aspects.

XIX.

Lord,

I Read how Paul writing from Rome, spake to **Philemon. verse 22.Philemon, to prepare him a lodging hoping to make use thereof, yet we find not, that he ever did use it, being Martyred not long after. However he was no loser, whom thou didst lodge in a higher p. 111Mansion in Heaven. Let me alwayes be thus deceived to my Advantage. I shall have no Cause to Complain, though I never wear the new Cloaths fitted for me, if, before I put them on, death cloath me with Glorious Immortality.

XX.

Lord,

WHen our Saviour sent his Apostles p. 112abroad to Preach, he enjoyned them in one **Matth. 10.10.Matt 10:10Gospell, Possesse nothing, neither Shooes, nor a staffe. But it is said in another **Mark. 6.8.Mark 6:8Gospell, And he commanded them, that they should take nothing, for their Iourney, save a Staffe onelyonly. The Reconciliation is easie. They might have a Staffe, to speak them Travellours, not Souldiers: One to walk with, not to p. 113Warre with, a Staffe, which was a Wand, not a Weapon. But Oh! In how dolefull dayes do we live, wherein Ministers are not (as formerly) arm'd with their Nakednesse, but need Staves, and Swords too, to defend them from violence.

XXI.

Lord,

I Discover an arrant Lazinesse in my p. 114Soul. For when I am to read a Chapter in thy Bible before I begin it, I look where it endeth. And if it endeth not on the same side, I cannot keep my hands, from turning over the leaf, to measure the length thereof on the other side; If it swels to many Verses I begin to grudge. Surely my heart is not rightly affected. Were I truly hungry after heavenly p. 115Food, I would not Complain of the greatest Messe of Meat. Scourge, Lord, this Lazinesse out of my Soul, make the reading of thy Word, not a Penance, but a Pleasure unto me. Teach me, that as amongst many heaps of Gold, all being equally pure, that is the best, which is the biggest, so I may esteem that Chapter in thy Word, the p. 116best that is the Longest.

XXII.

Lord,

I Find David making a Syllogisme, in Mode and Figure, Two Propositions he perfected.

**Psal. 66.Ps 6618 If I regard Wickednesse in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.

19 But verily God hath heard me, he hath attended to the p. 117voice of my Prayer.

Now I expected that David should have Concluded thus: Therefore I regard not wickednesse in my heart.

But farre otherwise he Concludes.

20 Blessed be God, who hath not turned away my Prayer nor his Mercy from me.

Thus David hath deceived, but not p. 118wronged me. I look't that he should have clapt the Crown on his own, and he puts it on Gods Head. I will learn this Excellent Logick, For I like Davids better then Aristotles Syllogismes, That whatsoever the Premisses be, I make Gods Glory the Conclusion.

p. 119XXIII.

Lord,

WIse **Pro. 30 9.Prov 30:9Agur made it his wish, Give me not poverty, lest I steal, & take the Name of my God in vain. He saith not, Lest I steal, and be caught in the manner, and then be stockt or whipt, or branded, or forc'd to four fold Restitution, or put to any other shamefull, or painfull punishment. But he p. 120saith, lest I steal, and take the name of my God in vain, That is, lest professing to serve thee, I confute a good Profession, with a Bad Conversation. Thus thy Children count Sinne to be the greatest Smart in Sin, as being more sensible of the wound they therein give to the glory of God, then of all the Stripes that man may lay upon them for punishment.

p. 121XXIV.

Lord,

I Read that when my Saviour dispossessed the Mans **Mark. 9.25.Mark 9:25Sonne of a Devill, he enjoyned the Evil Spirit to come out of him, and enter no more into him. But I find that when my Saviour himself was tempted of **Luke. 4.13.Luke 4:13Satan, the Devill departed from him but for a Sason. Retreating, as it seemes, with p. 122mind to return. How came it to passe, Lord, that he who expell'd him finally out of others, did not propell him so from himself. Sure it doth not follow, that because he did not, he could not do it. Or that he was lesse able to help himself, because he was more Charitable to relieve others. No, I see my Saviour was pleased to shew himself a God in other mens p. 123matters, and but a Man in such cases wherein he himself was concerned. Being contented still to be tempted by Satan, that his Suffering for us, might cause our Conquering through him.

XXV.

IAnnes and **2 Tim. 3.8.2 Tim 3:8Iambres the Apes of Moses and Aaron, immitated them in turning their p. 124Rods into Serpents; OnelyOnly here was the difference: Aarons **Exod. 7.12.Exod 7:12Rod devoured their Rods. That which was Solid and Substantiall lasted, when that which was slight, and but seeming, vanished away. Thus an Active Fancie in all outward expressions may immitate a lively Faith. For matter of Language, there is nothing what Grace doth do, but Wit can p. 125Act. OnelyOnly the difference appears in the Continuance: Wit is but for fits and flashes, Grace holds out, and is lasting; And, Good Lord of thy Goodnesse, give it to every one that truly desires it.