The Faith of Dying Jacob, Part 13
But God shall be with you.
1 Use. 'Tis comfort, whoever dies, God lives. Philip died comfortably, leaving his Son Alexander. So Antoninus Pius leaving his Son Commodus. Epaminondas wounded Enemies prevailing, died chearfully, hearing his Shield was safe, and expiring, drawing the Spear from his Body, said, yet I die a Conqueror: God the best Sun and Shield yet lives in Heaven not as an uninterested Spectator, to behold the play of the World, leaving it as a Tennis-Ball to the Bandyings of men, but with an active providence, ruling in Jacob to the ends of placing, displacing and disposing persons and things according to the counsel of his own will, Dan. 2. 21. 4 and 35. Psal. 29. 10, 11. The Lord sitteth King for ever, he will give strength to his people, that are dear to him as the Apple of his Eye; cum oculis non est ludendum, he will defend his eyes. Rachel mourns for her Children, yet Christ lived: Martha tells the Lord, If thou hadst been here my Brother had not died. Christ lives and is at hand, therefore the Church dieth not. A Cardinal made a Beech-tree his Emblem, whose top taken off the remains of it never thrive. Were Christ the top, the head cut off, all would soon run to ruin: To him the Highest powers owe subjection; The expansion of a Royal Pavilion deck'd with Pearls over their heads, tells them they have one Superior whose defence they need. How was the mighty Assyrian, who exalted his Throne above the Stars of God, brought down to Hell, and to the sides of the slimy Pit? Isa. 14. What a slaughter and Bonefire is made of Gog and his Princes marching against the unwalled Cities, a people without visible defence, Ezek. 38. 39. with Rev. 20. 9. Since Jesus was Born the Devils Game was spoiled. Porphyrie, as Eusebius cites him, said, Nunc mirantur, si tam multos annos civitai peste vexetur; postea enim quam Jesus colitur, nihil utilitatis à diis consequi possumus, after Jesus was worshipped, nothing in any miseries could be obtained of the Idol Gods: And when Augustus Caesar under whose Reign Christ was Born, enquired of the Oracle who should Reign after him, the Daemon answered, Puer Hebraeus jubet me hanc sedem relinquere & ad orcum redir, The Hebrew Child commands us to be gone from these Altars; he puts an end to their Impostures. If God be for us who can be against us? quis lae…vè? quis praevalenter? so as to prevail. This made Joshua ask the Heavenly Captain, Art thou for us, or against us? Josh. 5. 14, 15.
Use 2. In all streights resort to God:
Insist not on an Arm of Flesh for thee, or against thee: Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his Nostrills; for wherein is he to be accounted of? Isa. 2. 22. The remnant of Israel, and the escaped of the House of Judah shall no more stay upon him that smote them, neither on the Assyrian or Egypt; but shall stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel in truth. Isa. 10. 20. Hence David resolved, I will call upon God that perform th all things for me, Psal. 57 2. Jehosaphat at his inextricable plunge, not knowing what to do, crieth out to God, whose name is a strong Tower: Hezekiah spreads Rabshakehs blasphemous Letters before the Lord. Jacob urgeth the Lord, thou saidst I will surely do thee good. Flesh and Blood hath many shifts; Asa seeks to Physicians, Saul to a Witch: Many seek the Rulers face: But no enterprize takes effect without a Commission under the broad Seal of Heaven, that is the authority and efficacy of all instrumental executive Sub-powers; That obtained 'tis enough, without it all is at a stand, and attempts prove an untimely Birth, blasted Blossoms. All secular power must lower its Topsail to it.
Use 3. If God be with Israel, the wicked will have a hard task of it.
They resolve high, as Benhadad, that the dust of Samaria should not serve for an handful for his followers, but an hundred thousand of them were soon laid in cloddered blood, 1 Kin. 20. The Image of Gold, Silver, Iron and Clay is carried away as Chaff before the Wind. The Eagle must be first shot through to hurt the young carried on her back. The Church is carryed on Eagles Wings. Sinners have a potent God too near them, and against them: Magnum vicinum nolumus: Their rage is but like the foaming Water against the Mill, or the Winds beating against the Sails by Art profitable to drive forward: With elaborate policy, stretch of parts, combinations of interests, provisions against all dangers, having also the shines of Providence, and experiences, the mighty Castles of their hopes have been demolished, counsels and confederacies broken, Isa. 8. 9. And designs defeated; cunning Foxes with Firebrands at their tails have burnt up their harvest: By some treacherous dividing mutinous humours that like Waves dash and break one on the Neck of another, their intents have wholly miscarryed, and oft Divine Justice hath cast them down as Dung upon the Earth, brought them down as Sheep to the Slaughter and that by their own hands. There is no Ship they sail in but springs a leak or dasheth against some Rock, whereby 'tis broke in pieces. Dioclesian had Monuments inscribed, Superstitione Christi ubique deletâ, that the Sect of Christians was quite destroyed; but with a great mistake; it gloriously flourishing again in Constantines time: When the Smiths were hot at work blowing up the Coals, the Lord inscribes this Motto; No Weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every Tongue that riseth against thee in Judgment thou shalt condemn, Isai. 54. 17. Mich. 4. 11. They say, Let Zion be defiled, adultera, vel contaminata sit sanguine, let her be an adulteress, or defiled with Blood; a very fair choice. But they know not the thoughts of the Lord. Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, nor Divination against Israel. Though Gebal, Ammon and Amalek were combin'd hand in hand with their vaunting, Aha, the day is ours: In prosperity the destroyer came upon them: The Trumpet sounding Adonijahs merry Guests were put to flight, as Birds sate down to their prey by the discharge of a Gun Gen. 14. 11, 14. 'Tis likely those four Kings had made a prosperous market and gone away safe with their booty, had they not packt and shuffled in Lot among their wares. Psal. 2. 1 Why do the Heathen rage? And the People imagine a vain thing? Vanum est qu…d non ad finem valet. All is vain: But who are these Heathen? They were the Elders and Priests of Israel, who employed their wits and power against the Lords Christ, Acts 4. 25. Bad men are born under an unlucky Planet: Though warned of their own ruin, and the Churches rise, they can prevent neither: The Idolaters had notice in time of Josiah by name, who should break down their Altars. They had time enough to secure themselves against danger, yet the Judgment came, 2 Kings 13. 2. Heavens Decrees cannot be reversed or disannull'd: 'Tis the Churches Motto, vinci posse, mori non posse: It may be in a swoun, worsted in lesser Skirmishes, but it cannot die; it may be singed, not burnt; drenched not drowned: After a sharp Winter it ever had a flourishing Spring.
1. Bad men cannot prosper, because of Gods curse: I will curse them that curse thee. 'Tis peremptory, and irreversible. The seed of the Woman shall break the head of the Serpent who bruiseth her Heel. This makes Arrows drop from their hand, or to fall on their own head; Like a withering East-wind, this blasteth their projects, is mors in olla, Death in their dainty Broath, and makes them like Grass on the House-top, Psal. 129. 5.
2. Because they are under a superior check and power, Regnum sub duriore regno. The remainder of Wrath God will restrain: Laban reckoned of Power in his hand to hurt Jacob, but his rage is turned to good news: The God of your Fathers spake to me Yester-night, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob good or bad: A double Judgment, bridled from speaking evil, made dumb from speaking good, Gen. 31. 29. Balaam confesseth, All that the Lord speaketh I must do; here is a must, his bad heart would have done otherwise. Pilate was out thinking Christs Life or Death to be at his dispose: Sennacherib must not come into the City, nor shoot one Arrow. All both men and Devils are in the Chains of Divine Providence and Justice. The proud waves have their bounds, thus far and no further. Job. 5. 12. He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprize: Wherein they deal proudly God is above them, when they think to plow long and deep, the Lord cuts the Traisses, and Cords, Psal. 129. 3. Implacable hearts have no Omnipotent Hands; That men may know that thou whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the Earth.
4. Because the wickeds malice is not against the Church, but against Christ. 'Tis not Manslaughter, but God-slaughter, Deicidium in quantum offendibilis: Good men, if not for God in them, might have fair quarter. 'Tis hard kicking against the pricks, running on the thick bosses of Gods buckler, Jaculum in umbone. Why doth thine heart carry thee away? And what doth thine eyes wink at? That thou turnest thy Spirit against God: Impar congressus: Saul persecuteth Christ: In that ye have done it to these ye have done it unto me: Gideon telleth Zebah and Zalmunna, The men ye slew at Tabor were my Brethren, rise Jether, and slay them. Gamaliel forewarns, Lest haply ye be found fighters against God. Necho King of Egypt adviseth Josiah from medling with God, 2 Chron. 35. 21. The Lord reckoned with Aaron and Miriam for speaking against Moses; as Zebul to Gaal, where is now thy mouth? Mount Seir would take the Nations in possession, whereas God was there: But God judgeth his Blasphemies, saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume, Ezek. 35. 12. Hence the Lord espoused Jehosaphats danger. The battel is not yours but the Lords, 2 Chr. 20. 12. And Asa cryed, Help Lord—Let not men prevail against thee, 2 Chron. 14. 11. He made his danger Gods danger.
5. Because though God begin with his own Sanctuary and People, that they sip of the Cup, yet judgment rests among the wicked, and they drink the dregs. The Babylonian began at the Jews, the green tree, then eats the flesh of the Edomites, and Moabites, and passeth over to Egypt, Uz, Philistia, and at last other Nations serve themselves of him to his perpetual desolation, Jer. 25. And he perisheth as dung upon the Earth. The Lord kept a terrible day of Assize upon him, Joel 2. 20, 21. He had done great things, but his stink and ill-savour came up, and the Lord resolves to his peoples comfort to out-vie and over-do him; Fear not, O Land, for the Lord will do great things. The Lord inverted the Curse against Israel to a Blessing. The Jews fearing the Romans crucifie Christ, and lost their Kingdoms. So Jeroboams cunning device by Idolatry ruined his Interest: all bad mens devices, like a Picture drawn in Ice, melts away at the next thaw. If Judgment begin at the House of God, what shall be the end of the ungodly?
6. God being with Israel the wicked cannot prosper, because their trust is in Persons and things under a Curse, Jer. 17. 6. Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, Judges 6. 31. Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? but death was in the case. Israel ran to Egypt, but the staff breaks, the shivers of the Reed run into their Flesh, and the Spirit of Egypt also failed (or was emptied in the midst of it) its Counsel was devoured, its Idol-charmers, Wizzards profit not, but 'tis given up into the hand of a cruel Lord, Isa. 19. 3. 2 Chron. 13. 8. Abijah tells Jereboam, With you are the Golden Calves; he thought them a mighty guard, but they proved sorry Soldiers in withstanding the Kingdom of the Lord: But with us is the Lord for our Captain, and his Priests are with us, and we keep the charge of his House.
Babylons Inchantments, Sorceries, and Astrologers could not save her: the fire burnt up all like stubble, that no fire, no not a coal was left to warm her, Isa. 47. 8. to 14. when Egypt received her wounds, a… was incurable, Jer. 46. 11. Go up to Gilead. and take Balm, O Virgin, the Daughter of Egypt, in vain shalt thou use many Medicines, for thou shalt not be healed; Her Flesh was bad to heal, Plaisters would not stick, nor Salves operate.
7. Wicked men cannot prosper, because Christ and Christian prayers are against them. There are the cries of living Saints, and of the blood under the Altar, and of a glorified Christ against them. Luther would say, in wishing a mans ruin, wish him to be an Enemy to Gods people, that can set their prayers against him. What with the wickeds self-cursings and Saints prayers, ruin will come, though their prayers seem like the course Musick of Joshua's Rams-horns, the Walls of Jericho will fall by them. Against God what can prosper? Though folden as Thorns, they shall be consumed as Stubble fully dry, Nah. 1. 10. David did all at once: But I prayer, Psal. 56. 9. When I pray, mine Enemies turn back this I know, for God is with me. That Queen of the Scots said, she was more afraid of Mr. Knox's Prayers, than of an Army.
It remaineth then that the triumphing of the wicked is short. Behemoth moveth his tail like a Cedar, the Sinews of his Bones are wrapt together, his Bones are like strong pieces of Brass, and bars of Iron; he drinketh up a River and hasteth not (that is, runs not away for fear) he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan in his mouth; wicked men think they can swallow up all, But he that made him can make his Sword to approach to him, Job 40. 17, 23. Leviathan is another Emblem of terrible men, whose heart is like a stone, as hard as a piece of a nether Milstone, his scales are his Pride, shut up together as a close Seal, out of his mouth go burning Lamps, and sparks of Fire leap out: yet his Flesh is filled with barbed Irons, Job 41. So the Babylonian puissant Monarch is brought down as one of the contemptible Princes, Isa. 14. The Lord hath made nothing too great or too strong for himself.
And the greatest controversie that ever the Lord had with the Nations going beyond his expressed Commission, in the exercise of their native rage, malice, and blasphemy, was for their hatred and violence to his people, Isa. 34. 8. It is the day of the Lords vengeance, and the year of recompences, for the Controversies of Zion.
Use 4. If the Lord will be with his people then, in their lowest estate be one of them; be where God is, 'twill be the strongest side.
This swayed with Abimelech and Phicol his chief Captain to make a League with Abraham; God is with thee in all thou doest, Gen. 21. 22. For this people out of all Languages took hold of the skirt of a Jew; We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you, Zech. 8. 23. Though Saul in a perverse Spirit was afraid of David, because he saw that the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul, 1 Sam. 18. 12. For this Moses quitted his Court Grandeur, and offered to be made a great Nation in shaking Israel, oft refused that preferment. The ruins of Jerusalem weighed down all Court honours with Nehemiah: And David had rather his right hand should forget its cunning, and that his Tongue should cleave to the roof of his mouth, if he did not prefer Zion above his chief joy, Psal. 137. 5, 6. When Terentius for eminent service was offered by his Emperour Valens, what he should request, he asked that the true Christians might have the liberty of Worship by themselves, severed from the Arrians, which denyed, he, modestly gathering up the pieces of the torn petition, professed, if he could not be heard in Gods cause, he would ask nothing for his own profit. Because of the House of the Lord, saith David, I will procure thy wealth, that under the shelter of Peace Zion might flourish: What are mens Ceiled Houses the House of God lying waste? to chant to the Viol, and invent instruments of Musick, or to drink wine in Bowls, if not grieved for the affliction of Joseph? What is it for men to sleep in their own Cabin, to Feather their own Nests, and shift for their own ease and profit, the Ship being in extream danger: Uriah contemneth the pleasure of his House and Bed, the Ark, Israel and Judah abiding in Tents; by thy Life, and by the Life of thy Soul, he tells David, I will not do this thing. Many w…ar-drawing, wheedling Arguments are used, as by Rabshakeh, that every man may eat under his own Vine and drink of his own Cistern; But what saith David? How say ye to my Soul, flee as a Bird to your Mountain? In the Lord put I my trust. Was it well done by the Priest and Levite to pass by the bleeding Brother, on the other side of the way? The Lord is the sweetest and surest friend in evil days, what becomes the Lord will not unbecome thee: Herodias tells Caesar, offered her banished Husbands estate, 'twas not becoming her to live in pleasure, he being in misery: Ingo King of the Draves left his Nobles Feasting below, to company with poor Christians, who should be his companions to all eternity.
1. The Lord's Interest lies among a few contemptible people, and few they are that receive the Gospel, or shall be saved, 1 Cor. 1. 26. You see your calling, Brethren, not many mighty, wise, or noble, are chosen; not men in secular pomp, Gold Chains, and Silks, but destitute, naked, afflicted, in Sheep and Goat Skins in Caves and Dens; yet so honourable, that the world is not worthy of such Jewels. The Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust therein▪ Zeph. 3. 12. Isa. 14. 32. From the mouth of babes and sucklings the Lord ordaineth strength. They were poor Fisher men that turned the world up-side down. Gideon's Army was too many, till thinned to three hundred. Man's strength is God's weakning. He doth more with a Bulrush, a Barley Cake, and Ramshorns, with the Jaw-bone of an Ass, and a little Stone from a Sling, than with Goliah's Spear, as big as a Weaver's Beam, or with Saul's Armour and Coats of Mail. The feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy, tread down the lofty City, Isa. 26. 5, 6. The least of the flock draw out, and make Edom desolate. There is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few, 1 Sam. 14. 11. 2 Chron. 14. 11. who delighteth not in the strength of horses, nor taketh pleasure in the leggs of a man.
2. Though poor and few, yet preserved and encreasing. Israel was but like two flocks of Kids when the Syrians filled the Land; suppose them but an hundred Cyphers, God the Figure set before them, makes them thousands, Isa. 25. 4. Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible one is as a storm against the wall. Though poor and needs, the Lord, saith David, thinketh on me, 1 Chron. 16. 19. When they were but few, even a few, and strangers, wandring from one Nation and Kingdom to another, the Lord suffered no man to do them wrong, yea he reproved Kings for their sakes. There needs no restless disquiets for visible humane force; Israel's stand still saved them. Isa. 30. 15. In returning and rest shall ye be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be your strength. When the pious Bishop said, he would follow his fasting and prayer, & totius belli molem Deo committere, his Enemy said, Bellum ei inferat Diabolus, non ego, Let the Devil make war and not I; he could fight men, but not God. Samuel at Mizpeh plies his praying and sacrifice, and his God discomfited the Philistines with Thunder from Heaven.
3. Though Israel be few, a day of small things, they will be a day of great things, the Kingdom of the little Stone, the grain of Mustard seed, tho the least of all, will encrease. The dry Rod chosen by the Lord shall bring forth buds, bloom blossoms, and yield Almonds, Numb. 17. 8. and not be withered in the bud. God can bring down the high Tree, and exalt the low; dry up the green Tree, and make the dry Tree to flourish. The barren that did not bear shall travel with child, and more shall be the children of the desolate, than of the married wife, Isa. 54. 1. Heb. 11. 12. Of one, and he as good as dead, there sprang as many as the Stars in the Skie for multitude, and as the Sand which is by the Sea Shoar innumerable: The Lord called Abraham alone, and blessed him; when the time of the promise drew nigh his seed multiplyed, ('twas the promise that made fruitful;) that made the seventy persons that came down to Egypt six hundred thousand, and three thousand and five hundred and fifty fighting Men, besides Women and Children, and two and twenty thousand of the Tribe of Levi, Numb. 1. 46. 3. and 29. 30. and at the second Master-roll after their losses in the Wilderness they were six hundred thousand, and a thousand seven hundred and thirty, Numb. 26. 51. This vexed the High Priests and Jews to see their damms broken down, and the Church encreasing like a meadow, with a flowing glory. The people shall flow to the Mountain exalted above the Hills, Mich 4▪ 1. One told the Persecutors, Inde est quod gratias agimus, Therefore we give thanks, because by your cruel Decrees we are the more encreased.
4 Though the Lords People be few, afflicted, and despicable, there are seasons wherein the Grandees of the world make suit to them, assert their happiness, and shall be willing to bring in their glory to them, Psal. 45. 12. The Daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift, even the rich among the People shall entreat thy favour. Job 11. 19. Yea many shall make suit unto thee. Rev. 3. 9. Even they of the Synagogue of Satan, shall come and worship before thy Feet, and know that I have loved thee.
5. Of all kindnesses done to the Lord or his People, none argue more sincere love than what is expressed in evil days, Jer. 2. 2, 3. I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the Love of thine Espousals when thou wentest after me in the Wilderness: Our Saviour taketh special notice of it, Luke 22 28, 29. Ye are they that have continued with me in my temptations: And I appoint unto you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed me. A goodly recompense, Matth. 25. 37. Christ makes them more worth by thousands then they knew of, feeding him when hungry. For this the Church of Pergamos is remarked, dwelling where Satans seat was, yet holding fast his name and not denying the Faith, even in those days wherein Antipas the Faithful Martyr was slain. Every meeting and every good word is recorded, Mal. 3 16. When Hushai came over to perplexed Absolom, be said, Is this thy kindness to thy Friend? When Basil was blamed for hazarding his Life too far, he answered, Non aliter amare didici: I have not learnt to love otherwise.
6. Kindnesses to the Lord in his afflicted poor Israel in a low estate shall surely be requited, and unkindnesses avenged: An Ammonite, a Moabite was not to come in the the Lords Congregation till the tenth Generation, because they met not Israel with Bread and Water by the way. Deut. 23. 3, 4. Nabals unkindness had nigh cost the lives of all his Family; Amalek, was the first of the Nations, that opposed Israel, but his end was to perish for ever, Numb. 24. 20. Edom with a reproachful rejoicing, looking on his Brothers trouble, felt Heavens vengeance: For thy violence against thy Brother Jacob, shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off, Obad. 10, 12. Moab howleth for his pride, refusing to be a covert to the Lords Out-casts, Isa. 16. 4. Gideon chastised the men of Succoth with Briars and Thorns, who said to him upbraidingly, Are Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand that we should give Bread to thee? Judg. 8. 15. Sihon was smitten, not giving Israel passage, 11. and 21.
Kindnesses are rewarded: Rahab perished not. The Kenites are delivered in Amaleks destruction; For ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt, 1 Sam. 15. 6. David requites Jonathans love in Mephibosheth, and the Sons of Barzillai, because they came to him when he fled from Absalom, 1 Kin. 2. 7. the Barren Shunamite kind to Elisha is rewarded with a Son, and with that Son raised from the dead, 2 King. 4. The Widdow of Zarephath, kind to Elijah, hath her Barrel of Meal, and Cruise of Oil multiplied, and her Son restored to life: Abiathar was spared by Solomon, because he bare the Ark of the Lord before David, 1 King. 2. 26. Publius receiving Paul had his Father healed. Paul begs mercy for the house of Onesiphorus at that day, for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my Chain, 2 Tim. 1. 16, 18. not a Cup of cold water is lost, nor a Widdows mite: They shall prosper that love Zion, Psal. 122. 6. Agrippa told Thaumastes relieving him, This shall one day do thee good: Such as rescued a Roman Soldier in Battel had a Crown of Oaken Boughs, but God will give a Crown of Glory, and to walk with him in White, and keep them in the hour of Temptation, who stick to his afflicted people, Rev. 2. 4. 3. and 10. Neh. 13. 14.
Use 4. In the lowest estate of the Church, despair not, though beneath hopes and probabilities of continuance.
Antigonus asked his dismayed Souldiers, How many do you reckon me? Rachel calls her Child Benoni, a Son of sorrow, Jacob calleth him Benjamin, the Son of his right hand, as above particular adverse providences, for she died: When Israel was over Jordan in the Enemies Land, the Lord ordered Circumcision, fit to make them a prey, but his design was to exercise Faith, Josh. 5. 1 Kin. 7 21. There were two Pillars in the Porch of Solomons Temple Jachin and Boaz, meaning Gods directive wisdom, and executive strength; Upon the top of the Pillars was Lilly work: The beginnings of the Lords workings for his People shall be compleated in Lilly work. Zech. 3. 7. Seven eyes are upon the stone, meaning the activeness of Providence, in the exertion of all Gods Glorious Attributes, Wisdom, Power, Love, Patience, Faithfulness, Goodness, Unchangeableness, that are as the seven Chamberlains ministring to Ahasuerus. God being excellent in Counsel, and wonderful in worknig; having foreign, a sleepless eye, what can miscarry? The Hart fell upon the blind side of the Rock, having but one eye, and that fastened on the Dogs. God is all eyes; the Wings and Wheels of the Chariot of his Providence are full of eyes, looking every way, like a waking Pilot, he never lets the rudder slip out of his hand: Visible instruments go off the Stage, one goeth off, another comes on; now a Friend, anon an Enemy; But the Lord never goeth off, and is but on one side, though he smiles on the Counsel of ungodly, and layeth not folly to them for a while, he will not forsake the righteous, nor take the wicked by the Hand: His Word, his Oath is against the wicked and he is able to execute it; as Caesar told Metellus contradicting him in his medling with the treasures, forbear, or I will lay thee dead; he that speaks it can easily do it; why should the Church f… Christ is in the Ship? The fearless Child in a storm gave this reason, I fear not, my Father is Pilot; the Disciples in the storm afraid, saith Christ, It is I. 'Tis his promise, Lo, I am with you to the end of the World; And even he shall Build the Temple of the Lord, and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his Throne Zech. 6. 13 And he rules alone. 'Twas reckoned an undervaluing of Augustus to joyn a compeer to him; and when 'twas offered to Valentinian, he told them 'twas in their power to chuse him Emperor, but now not to joyn another to him. Christus sibi sufficit. The Assyrio-Chaldean Empire passed to the Persian, that to the Grecian, that to the Roman, but Christs is not transfer'd or left to another People. In his Kingdom, though Viceroys be, there is no defect, Mortality, or Succession: No Heir can be expected. The Lord shall inherit Jacob, he alone. Zech. 2. 13. 'Tis his Portion. In case he seems to step aside he comes again, v. 10. Sing and rejoyce, O Daughter of Zion, for lo, I come, and will dwell in the midst of thee, and will recompence his momentary departures with everlasting kind embracements, Isai. 54. 7. 9. Enemies have Ideas and Platforms in their mind, but their hand withereth in the stretching out. They have no Picklock to get into Gods Cabinet Counsel, and where two Keys belong to a Lock both must be brought. Despair not; as the Mountains are about Jerusalem, so is the Lord about his People: The Lord, bringing his People from Babylon, said Ye shall not go out with haste, as fearing the Kings loving mind might alter, who gave them liberty, nor go by flight, fearing a Pharaoh might pursue them, and fetch them back; for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your R…t-ward, or gather you up. He is not only a Captain to lead on, but to gather up such as straggle and lag behind, Isa. 52. 12. David cheerfully prophesies, The Lord is on my side, I will not fear what man can do unto me. The Lord taketh my part with them that help me, therefore I shall see my desire on them that hate me, Psal. 118 6, 7. The Lord hath many Instruments, and many places to fetch them out of: What he does not by one, he will do by another: What he does not at one time, he will do at another. So Mordecai told Esther, if she were silent, the Lord would deliver from another Place, which term Place is by some reckoned the title of God, meaning, if the creature helped not, God would; witness the Persian Princes, Ezra 6. 11. and the special Decree of Darius, that whoever interrupted his Decree in rebuilding Jerusalem, Let Timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon, and let his house be made a dunghill.
If dark seasons happen, the Child goes along in the dark, held in the Father's hand. The Child goes to the Master with the Father's Letter in its pocket. God, as Justices, giveth his Travellers a Pass to go home with. When matters were desperate, Albertus Crancius said to Luther, Frater, frater▪ abi in cellam & dic, Miserere Deus, Go to thy Cell, and cry, Lord have mercy.
When the state of things may be desolate, when there are no Physicians, or if any, they ignorant of the disease and cure, or the potion is dashed out of their hand: Men stand trembling on the shore, fearing the Ship will sink: Death gathering apace to the Heart, complexion, purse, breath altered, Relations stand, as Job's Friends, with a dumb silence, with mournful accented voices, the conduits of their eyes running down with tears, all concluding of the sick man, he is no man of this World. Well, let the Church be as the Widdows Son on the Bier, or as Lazarus in the Grave, yet hope with Abraham against hope: Egypt hath many diseases, and many remedies, multa venena & multa salubria. Let diseases be Epidemical or Chronical, Israel hath a Physician that can cure all: Etiam opprobria medicorum, Jer. 30. 15, 16. Mal. 4. 2.
The more this foundation truth is believed, the deeper rooting it hath in mens minds, 'twill stop hard thoughts of God, God shall have our good word; it will keep from sin, from irregular means, and traiterous in surrections; Mordecai will not bow to Haman, nor conceal Treason; Duty will be performed by stammering Moses, by Gideon the least of the Family, by David a stripling, by Jeremy a Child, by Ezekiel with a Brazen hearted and impudent headed people: If God will be with Israel, of whom, of what should Israel be afraid?
Lastly, In all merciful Providences, make grateful, make glorious ascriptions unto Israel's God. Job 12. 9. Who knoweth not in all these, that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? Upon the defeatment of Balaam's project; According to this time it shall be said, What hath God wrought? Numb. 23. 23. If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, they had swallowed us up quick; their throats are like Sepulchres, large and hungry as the grave. All may say, This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. Moses makes it the head of his song, when Pharaoh was discomfited: Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: Thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy, Exod. 15. 6. When the seven Plagues tempered with the wrath of God were poured out, the victorious Saints, with the Harps of God, sing the Song of Moses the Servant of God, and of the Lamb, (they two are at no jarrs) saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, just and true are thy ways, thou King of Saints, Rev. 15. 3. The Blessed Mary falls in with her joyful acclamation, He that is mighty hath done for me great things, and holy is his name. Ezra, chap. 9. ver. 8, 9. praiseth God, who had extended mercy to his people in the sight of the Kings of Persia, lightning their eyes, giving them a reviving in their Bondage, and to set up the House of their God.
Who but God could divide Seas, turn Ahitophels Counsel into Foolishness, hang Haman on the Gallows built for Mordecai, preserve, Lambs among Lions, Lillies among Thorns suspend the rage of Lions and a fiery Furnace, secure the Ark above the furious Deluge, put an Hook into the Jaws of the Dragon? 'Tis God alone doth our unexpected, our marvellous, our impossible things for us: To him be glory for ever and ever.