One Hundred Select Sermons, Old Testament · Sermon 40
SERMON XL.
Eſay. 40.31.
Butthey that wait upon the Lordſh all renew their ſtrength, they ſhall mount up with wings as Eagles, they ſhall run and not be weary, and they ſhall walk and not faint.
As God is a God of ſtrength, ſo there is nothing wherein he does appear more to be ſo, than in the Diſpenſations of Himſelf to his people, to whom he does in part Communicate of that ſtrength which is in himſelf, for their greater Supportment, and Incouragement in the worſt Conditions that may happen unto them: He delights to manifeſt his power in their weakneſs, and to ſhew his ſtrength in their Infirmity as he ſometimes elſewhere expreſſes it. As he himſelf faints not, neither is weary, ſo he gives power to them that are faint, and to them that have no might he increaſes ſtrength, as it is in 28. and 29. verſes of this Chapter. Yet ſtill he does it ſo, as may be with the greateſt furtherance and advantage to themſelves: As it was in the Miracle of Canaan. The wine which Chriſt produced, it was the beſt wine of all, and better then all other before it; ſo is it indeed in every thing elſe which God does, and amongſt the reſt in this particular, the ſtrength which he does vouchſafe to his Servants: It is better, and ſurer, and firmer then any other ſtrength beſides. That ſtrength which comes from God directly, and in the way of the new Covenant in Chriſt, it is far ſurpaſſing and tranſcendant to any Natural or Corporal ſtrength whatſoever; which is that which the Holy Ghoſt does here ſignifie and Illuſtrate by an Elegant oppoſition in this Scripture which I have now read unto you. Even the Youths ſhall faint and be weary, and the young men ſhall utterly fall; thoſe which have either the advantage of Age, or Exerciſe, or Bodily temper and Conſtitution: But they that waite upon thee. &c.
IN the whole Verſe before us we have two General Parts conſiderable.
Firſt, A Propoſition of the ſtrength of Beleivers in general.
Secondly, A Particular Demonſtration of this Propoſition, taken from the Conſequences and Effects.
The Propoſition in General. That ye have in theſe words, They that wait upon the Lord ſhall renew their ſtrength.
The Demonſtration of this Propoſition in the Particular, Ye have in theſe words, They ſhall mount up with eagles wings; they ſhall run, and not be weary; they ſhall walk, and not faint.
We begin with the firſt, viz. The General Propoſition, They that wait upon the Lord ſhall renew their ſtrength. Wherein again, we have two Branches more.
Firſt, The Perſons ſpoken of, and they are Thoſe which wait upon the Lord.
Secondly, The thing it ſelf which is ſpoken of them; and that is, that They ſhall renew their ſtrength.
For the Firſt, The Perſons mentioned, or ſpoken of; they are, Thoſe that wait upon the Lord.
This is here made the Deſcription of God's People, of Believers, the Saints and Servants of God. They are ſuch as wait upon God. This is a Duty often called for in Scripture; and ſo conſiderable a Duty it is, as that thereby the whole Race of Godly Men is expreſſed and ſignified to us: As if there were nothing elſe almoſt which were pertinent hereunto but that. It is a Phraſe which we often meet with in Scripture to this purpoſe: Thus, Pſal. 25.3. Let none that wait on thee be aſhamed: Iſa. 30.18. Bleſſed are all they that wait for him. So again, Lamen. 3.25. The Lord is good to them that wait for him, to the ſoul that ſeeketh him: Where they that wait for him, and that ſeek him are all one; both Deſcriptions of his Children.
There are two things eminent in Waiting; and ſo, in Waiting upon God: Expectation and Patience. There is Looking for ſomewhat from him: And there is a quiet Reſting and Tarrying till it be beſtowed. And both Properties of true Believers.
Firſt, There is Expectation from God, there is Looking for ſomewhat from him, to be beſtowed upon them. This is always in the Servants of God; Pſal. 123.2. Behold, as the eyes of Servants look unto the hand of their Maſter, and as the eyes of an handmaid looks unto the hands of her Miſtreſs; ſo our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until he have mercy, &c. All Good Chriſtians they do certainly expect ſomewhat from the hands of God, and that which is worth the expecting; Even glory and honour, and immortality and eternal life, as we have it expreſt unto us, Rom. 2.7. Other matters there are which they do ſometimes look for, and very well may, but theſe things they look for eſpecially, as their reward and their portion, and their inheritance, and ſuch as may not be denyed them; They wait for theſe abſolutely.
Secondly, As they have the Waiting of Expectation, ſo they have likewiſe of Patience, They are content to ſtay Gods time and leiſure for the obtaining of any thing, which they look for and expect from him. He that believeth maketh not haſt, Iſa. 28.16. He doth not prevent or out-run God in HIs Providence towards him, but ſtayes till he thinks fitting to help him; This is the right Temper of a true Chriſtian and Believer. Prophane and deſperate perſons, they flye off in a diſcontent, and impatience, like that wicked king Jehorum, 2 King. 6 ult. Why ſhould I wait on the Lord any longer? but his people they wait for him, and they are contented ſo to do; The Reaſon of it, is becauſe they are ſure to ſpeed at laſt. There's none that wait upon God ſhall be aſhamed, that is, ſhall be diſappointed, which is many times the cauſe of ſhame, As we ſee ſometimes in waiting upon the Creature, in waiting upon vain men, As we have it expreſt unto us in Job 6.19, 20. The Troops of Tema looked, the Companies of Sheba waited for them. They were confounded, becauſe they had hoped, they came thither, &c. thus it falls out in waiting upon ſuch as theſe; but now in waiting upon the Lord, it is otherwiſe. They that wait upon him they ſhall be ſure not to want ſucceſs. Nay, They ſhall ſpeed the better for waiting; there's that alſo conſiderable.
The more willing we are to wait upon God the better it is for us; for He, he payes for time, and gives us the more becauſe we have waited. This the ſervants of God conſidering, are therefore content to wait, and that with patience. Thus David, Pſal. 40.1. I waited patiently for the Lord, or as it is in the Hebrew Text. I waited in waiting. But ſo much briefly of the firſt branch of the firſt General, viz. The Perſons here mentioned, Believers, They that wait upon the Lord.
The Second (which I chiefly aym at in this Text) is what is ſaid of them; and that is they ſhall renew their ſtrength, By ſtrength here we are to underſtand ſpiritual ſtrength; ſtrength in reference to Religion and Chriſtian Converſation, That's the ſtrength which is here pointed at in this place by the prophet Iſay. And when is is ſaid, they ſhall renew it; there are three things intimated to us in this Expreſſion. Firſt, Their Duty. Secondly, Their Diſpoſition. Thirdly, Their Priviledge. Their Duty, they ought to do it. Their Diſpoſition, they are ready to do it. Their Priviledge, they may do it, or 'tis that which ſhall actually and indeed happen unto them.
Firſt, Here's their Duty, they ought to do it; this is that which which lyes upon a Chriſtian, as a Duty belonging unto him, to improve ſtill in ſpiritual ſtrength; every day to grow ſtronger and ſtronger in his inward man. To go from ſtrength to ſtrength, as it is Pſal. 84.7. This is that which the Scripture ſtill calls for, as Epheſi. 6.10. Finally brethren be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, And Coloſ. 1.10, 11. Being fruitful in every good work, and increaſing in the knowledge of God, ſtrengthened with all might in the inward man; A Chriſtian muſt be like a tree not only growing to bear more fruit, but alſo growing to more ſtrength. We need a great deal of ſtrength, not onelyonly to overcome our own weakneſſes, but alſo to bear with the weakneſſes of other men. Whiles we are here required to renew our ſtrength, there are two things, which may be pointed out to us in this Expreſſion. Firſt, Recovery of ſtrength, there where it is in ſome meaſure loſt and abated in us; To renew it, that is to regain it, to require it, and fetch it up again, after ſome diminution. Secondly, The Improvement of ſtrength, to renew it, that is, to increaſe it, and to add new ſtrength unto it. Each of theſe are here imployed, and both to be practiſed by us in reference to our Chriſtian Converſation, we muſt renew our ſtrength to each purpoſe.
Firſt, In a way of Recovery, we muſt renew it that is repair it. Thoſe which have loſt any meaſure and degree of Grace, which they have formerly had, they muſt indeavour to reſtore it again. It is an ill thing for a Chriſtian to grow weak and ſo to continue, to fall from his former ſtrength and not to return to it again, which is the condition of many in the world, we for our parts ſhould indeavour to be otherwiſe, where we obſerve any decayes of ſpiritual ſtrength in us, there as ſoon as we can to renew it.
This it will neerly concern us to do upon theſe conſiderations. Firſt, In point of Honour, and that eſpecially with God himſelf, Spiritual weakneſs it is a diſparagement, eſpecially if ye take it in the relapſe, and after ſome former degrees of ſtrength. It is no diſgrace for a man to have a weak body; That has no moral evil or inconvenience in it, but to have a weak ſoul is very diſgraceful. For one that heretofore has been ſtrong in ſpirit, and in his inward man, now to decline and grow weaker and continue ſo, it is very diſhonourable. The excellency of dignity, and the Excellency of ſtrength, they go both together, and he that falls from the one, he does with Reuben fall alſo from the other, whiles he becomes as weak as water, he ſhall not excell, Gen. 49.2.
Secondly, As it concerns us in point of honour, ſo likewiſe in point of Eaſe; a weak Chriſtian is ſo far forth a burden to himſelf, as meeting with many difficulties which he cannot grapple withall, but prove to hard for him. There are many occurrences in a Chriſtians life, which do neceſſarily call for ſpiritual ſtrength in him, to the management of them, which if he has not, he will be ſure to lye under them, and to be overcome by them: There are many Temptations to reſiſt, and many Afflictions to indure, and many duties to perform. All which are not done without strength, nor without ſtrength in ſome degree of it neither; at leaſt not done strongly, and as they ought to be done by us; weakneſs, it will work like it ſelf, where the faculty is but indifferent, the operations will be anſwerable thereunto, it is ſo as in naturals ſo in ſpirituals.
Thirdly, In point of ſafety, there's anothers conſideration in that. Thoſe which are but ſpiritually weak they are expoſed to ſundry dangers, to ſtaggerings and fallings, eſpecially from the ſpiritual enemy, who is ſtill ſure to apply himſelf to the weakeſt, and to none more then to ſuch as are ſo from any Apoſtaſie or Declining; where he can find an advantage againſt us here, he will be ſure to follow it, and improve it to the utmoſt, and that alſo to a further weakning of us ſtill; Beſides, that then, we are under greater hazzards from God himſelf, where we are weak with a weakneſs of imperfection, weak in grace, as children are weak, there the Lord pitties and helps us. He knows our frame, and he conſiders what we are, He relieves our infirmities for us. But where we are weak with a weakneſs of Relapſe, through careleſneſs and neglect of our ſelves, there the Lord doth oftentimes puniſh us, and corrects us, as being angry with us. In regard therefore of the dangers which we ſtand in towards God, it concerns us to renew our ſtrength upon any ſeeming decay.
Laſtly, In point of comfort alſo, it concerns us alſo for this: A weak Chriſtian will be an uncomfortable Chriſtian; he will not have ſo much livelineſs and refreſhment in his own ſpirit. Becauſe that Grace will not reflect with ſo much evidence upon him. A man that hath but Grace in a weak meaſure, though he has true Grace in him, as well as he which has ſtronger, yet he will not be able ſo eaſily to diſcerne it, and conſequently will not reap ſo much comfort and ſweetneſs, from it, as otherwiſe he would. Thoſe that are but weak Chriſtians, and are content ſo to be, it will be a very hard matter for them to diſcern and apprehend whether they be Chriſtians or no, and ſo they will be ready to go drooping, and mourning all their lives long from this diſtemper.
All theſe things laid together ſhould accordingly ſerve to work upon us and to perſwade us to this duty in hand, of recovering our ſtrength there where 'tis decayed in ſpiritual matters; we ſee how it is with men in other matters, in matters of the world. If it be as to their outward man, where they obſerve any decayes in themſelves, do all they can to repair them. If it be in their Eſtates, to make up their weakneſs there; If it be in their bodies, to heal their weakneſſes there. Men can no ſooner find themſelves weak, and conſuming in theſe particulars, but they will uſe all the means poſſible that they can for their recovery in ſuch conditions: And why then ſhould we not be as carefull and dilligent for our weak ſouls, which do a great deal more nearly concern us and lye upon us then the other does? Certainly it proceeds from that Atheiſm and Infidelity which is in our hearts, and unſenſibleneſs of theſe particulars. But ſo much of the firſt explication. Chriſtians, they are to renew their ſtrength, that is, to repair it by way of recovery, where it is impaired.
But Secondly, Thats not all, They are to do it alſo by way of increaſe, and addition to it there, where it is continued. A Chriſtian is not to content himſelf with any meaſure of ſtrength which he has received, but to labor ſtill for more. The more ſtrength, ſo much the better is it with us. And therefore we ſhould be carefull to improve it more and more, yea we will do ſo, if we be ſo as we ſhould be; as we ſhall now ſee in the point that follows: So much for the Particular. viz. A Chriſtians Duty. They ſhall renew their ſtrength, that is, they ought to do it. It is that which they are Commanded.
The Second is their Diſpoſition: They that wait upon the Lord they will renew their ſtrength, that is, they will be ready and carefull ſo to do. This is the temper of a good Chriſtian, to grow every day ſtronger and ſtronger. Thus we have it in the words of Solomon, Prov. 24.5. A wiſe man is ſtrong, yea a man of knowledge increaſeth in ſtrength. There ye have it in the Propoſition, ye may take it likewiſe in the example; for which we can have no better an inſtance, than the Apoſtle Paul, and ſuch as he was, 2 Cor. 4.16. For the which cauſe we faint not: but though our outward man periſh, yet the inward is renewed day by day. Mark, It is renewed, and he ſays, it is dayly renewed, he gathers every day ſome ſtrength or other. A good Chriſtian has ſtill ſo much good Husbandry with him, as repar are deper ditum: to ſupply that which is loſt. Now as every day, if we be not carefull, we are apt to looſe ſome ſtrength or other, according to the variety of occaſions which are offered unto us in the world: ſo if we do indeed mind our ſelves, we will be diligent alſo to repair it and make it up.
We may therefore from hence now take ſome kind of account of our ſelves, and ſee what we are according to our care, and indeavour in this particular. If we ſhall go from day to day and never care to improve in Grace and the ſtrengthning of our inward man: but rather by wilfull neglect and careleſneſs weaken it, and diminiſh from it; this does too palpably diſcover that we are not that which we ought to be in Chriſtianity. For if we we, we ſhould find this diſpoſition working in us, to abound more and more, as the Apoſtle Paul ſpeaks to the Theſſalonians, 1 Theſ. 4.1. we ſhould ſtill find our ſelves getting up in ſpiritual ſtrength. Look as it is with a man, which is in part cured and recovered out of ſome bodily distemper; by how much the diſeaſe weakens, the man strenthens, as that looſes of its power, ſo he gains and gets more in his. Even ſo it is alſo with that perſon which is brought out of his natural condition, when the ſinfull corruption of nature is healed in him; Look how that does any thing decay, ſo does Grace flouriſh in him and increaſe: As it was in thoſe two oppoſites for the Kingdom Saul and David, David waxed ſtronger and ſtronger, and the houſe of Saul waxt weaker, 2 Sam. 3.1. Even ſo is it likewiſe here. As Grace weakens ſo corruption does more and more increaſe, and as Grace encreaſes, ſo does Corruption looſe of its ſtrength. Theſe two they are like a pair of ballances, when the one goes up, the other is ſure to go down; and ſo contrarily, That heart which has the work of Grace truly and indeed wrought in it, it will be deſirous and indeavouring after improvement and ſettlement of it ſelf.
Let none therefore plead weakneſs, and juſtifie and allow themſelves, in ſuch a condition as that is, for it is not ſutable to a Chriſtian temper. The best Chriſtians that are, they may have weakneſſes in them, but they do not content themſelves with thoſe weakneſſes. They have ſo much ſtrength in them, as to be ſenſible and apprehenſive of their weakneſs, and ſo much Grace in them as to labour as ſoon as may be to come out of it, and to gather strength. And where we find it otherwiſe with our ſelves, we have cauſe to bewail our ſelves, and to be truly humbled for it. As for thoſe which have no ſtrength at all, they do not care for the renewing of ſtrength; nay indeed they cannot, they are uncapable of it. The renewing of strength does ſuppoſe the having of ſome ſtrength allready to be renewed. Carnal and natural men which have no work of Grace in their hearts, nor the Spirit of Chriſt ſtirring in them, they are not weak but dead, and ſo uncapable of getting more ſtrength. The Impotency of corrupt Nature, it is not weakneſs but wickedneſs, and ſo to be accounted; but where there's weakneſs, there is in part ſome ſtrength, which is mingled with it; and where there is this strength, there's an indeavour to work out that weakneſs, and to recover after ſome former abatings and diminiſhings of Grace in it ſelf. That's the ſecond particular, viz. A Chriſtians Diſpoſition joyn'd with his Duty; They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength, that's their Inclination.
The Third is their Priviledge, what they may do, or does indeed actually befall them. They ſhall renew their ſtrength, that is, This happineſs belongs unto them; This is their ſtate and condition. And this indeed ſeems to be the proper ſenſe and meaning of the Text, to expreſs thus much to us, wherein the Spirit of God ſhewes us the difference between theſe and others in a way of oppoſition. The youths ſhall faint and be weary, and the young men ſhall utterly fall, But they that wait upon the Lord ſhall renew their strength. The word, which is here rendred Renew, is in the Hebrew Text. Jachalifu, which ſignifies properly they exchange it; commut abunt vires, that is, they ſhall have another kind of strength bestowed upon them then that which they formerly had: For there is a double kind of change, to be obſerved and taken notice of by us, There's a change in Quality of the worſe for the better; And there's a change in Quantity, of the leſs for the Greater: Now both of theſe Changes are in a Chriſtian as to ſpiritual ſtrength. Firſt, They have a change in Quality; Another ſort and kind of ſtrength then what they had before Converſion. And Secondly, A change in Quantity, more ſtrength then at their firſt Converſion.
Firſt, I ſay, there's a change in Quality. They that wait upon the Lord ſhall renew their ſtrength, that is, they ſhall have a new kind of ſtrength beſtowed upon them, over what they had before Converſion, as Caleb had another Spirit, and Saul another heart. For we muſt know that even before Converſion, in natural, and unregenerate perſons there is a kind of ſtrength, which does appear in them, and that alſo in reference to Religion, and the Duties of it, but it is not ſuch a ſtrength as is here meant in this preſent Text, nor yet ſuch as any are to ſatisfie, and to reſt themſelves contented withal.
To explain it a little unto you, ye may take it in theſe particulars.
Firſt, There's the ſtrength of temper and natural Conſtitution.
Secondly, There's the ſtrength of Cuſtome, and Religious Education. Thirdly, There's the ſtrength of Civility, and Moral principles: Each of theſe kinds of ſtrength there are, and that alſo before Converſion.
Firſt, (I ſay) There's the ſtrength of Temper, and natural Conſtitution; this is ſuch as may go very far, and a man may be able both to do and ſuffer very much by it. This is that which does for the moſt part extend it ſelf to the outſide and form of Religion, and in thoſe performances which belong to that. Men by a natural strength, may be very much in them, whether a ſtrength of bodily frame, or a ſtrength of Natural parts, but it is not this, which is ſufficient; and yet it is that which many reſt themſelves in, and are contented withal. The ſtrength of Wit, and Reaſon, and Ʋnderſtanding and Memory, and the like, whiles their heart and will and Affections, have no ſaving work at all upon them.
Secondly, There's the ſtrength of Cuſtom, and Religious Education. This, it will go very far likewiſe, many which have been piouſly Educated and brought up, and accuſtomed to ſuch and ſuch Performances, they through Ʋſe and Exerciſe contract: ſome kind of strength to themſelves for the doing of them, and become ſtrong in the outward bulk of Religion. This was ſuch a ſtrength as was in Joaſh whiles his Uncle Jebojada liv'd. He did that which was good and right in the ſight of the Lord, though afterwards he departed from it: And ſo 'tis alſo with many others beſides. They have nothing which does ſo much act them, and put them forward to any thing which is good, but as it is that which they have been alwayes uſed and accuſtom'd unto.
Thirdly, There's the ſtrength of Civility and Moral Principles; This was the ſtrength which was in Paul before his Converſion; He ſeem'd to have much ſtrength in him, and ſo in a ſenſe he had, for we ſee what a ſtrict man he was, and how unblameably (as himſelf ſayes) he liv'd, and profited in the Jewes Religion above many of his equals, in his own Nation. But what was the reaſon of it? and how came it to be thus with him? why it was becauſe he had taken it by Tradition from his Fathers; He was a Phariſee of the Phariſees, one that was brought up amongſt them, that ſate at the feet of Gamaliel, a great Rabbi and Doctor of the Law, and from hence came to do ſo many things which belong'd thereunto. Thus this ſtrength in all theſe wayes as I have ſhewen is incident to a man before Grace and Converſion wrought in his heart, but this is not that which will ſerve the turn. They that wait upon the Lord ſhall change, that is, they ſhall have another beſtowed upon them, and ſuch as will be more uſefull to them. In ſtead of this more Natural, and Moral, and Customary ſtrength. They ſhall have a ſuper-natural, and ſpiritual given unto them.
This is different, and ſurpaſſing the other. Firſt, In regard of it's Original, as comming from the Holy Ghoſt which is the worker of it. He ſtrengthens with might by his Spirit. Eph. 3.16. And by his Spirit, not onelyonly in his common works, but alſo in his ſpecial and peculiar. This ſtrength it proceeds from the Spirit of God as Sanctifying.
Then Secondly, It differs in the Subject, for the former ſtrength is onelyonly in the outward, this is in the inward man; and the inwards of that inward. I pray God ſanctify your whole Soul and Spirit. 1. Theſ. 5.23.
Thirdly, It differs in the Effects, for this Spiritual and Supernatural ſtrength, it is able to do greater matters then the other can do; helping a man to deny himſelf, to overcome the world, to mortify Luſts and Corruptions &c. So much for the change in Quality.
The Second is a change in quantity and degree, this is further the priveledge of good Chriſtians that they ſhall through Gods Grace grow ſtronger and ſtronger; If by ſome miſchance they do abate in their Spiritual ſtrength; yet they ſhall recover and repair it again: They ſhall renew their ſtrength.
This (for the better illuſtrating of it to us) may be laid open in two particulars.
Firſt, In the Caſes wherein. And Secondly, In the means whereby each of theſe are Conſiderable to this purpoſe for a Chriſtians renewing of his ſtrength.
Firſt, The caſes wherein: There are ſome caſes and conditions eſpecially wherein a Chriſtian has moſt need of having his ſtrength renew'd unto him, and in ſuch caſes as theſe does God graciouſly renew them here.
As Firſt, Againſt a new Service, which is to be done by him; Every new performance, it does in a manner call for a new ſtrength to the Effecting of it, which it is not eaſily done without; Eſpecially if it be of any Conſequence or Importance: Now therefore does the Lord of his Goodneſs herein give us ſome proportionable ſtrength, as the Apoſtles when Chriſt ſent them abroad into the work of the Miniſtry, it was not a common ſtrength which would ſerve their turn, and therefore he tells them that they ſhall have ſtrength from above. Tarry ye in the City of Jeruſalem, untill ye he indewed with power from on High. Luke 24.49. The like ſtrength does God vouchſafe to his ſervants in a meaſure and degree proportionable in any ſervice which he deſigns them; where he renews their work, he does alſo renew their ſtrength.
Secondly, Againſt ſome new Temptation and Conflict with Satan. The Lord does here renew their ſtrength, and they paſſively renew it to themſelves: God does in ſome manner fit and inable them to enter the Liſts and Combate with ſo potent an Enemy. Thus we ſee in the Example of Job, how mightily did God renew his ſtrength when as Satan oppoſed him, and ſet upon Him. And ſo in the Example of Peter. Luke 22.32. Simon, Simon Satan hath deſired to have you, and to winnow you as Wheat, but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not, and when thou art converted ſtrengthen thy Brethren. So again alſo in the Example of Paul, when he prayed ſo earneſtly to God to be delivered from the buffetings of Satan; God told him this that his Grace was ſufficient for Him and his ſtrength was made perfect in his weakneſs: As he increaſed his Temptations, ſo proportionably he renewed his ſtrength.
Thirdly, Againſt ſome new Tryal and affliction from God himſelf: As the Affliction abounds, ſo does the Conſolation, and as the ſuffering ſo the ſtrength. God lays no more upon his ſervants then he inables them to indure, but gives them ſtrength inabling them to bear it: As we ſee in the Martyrs and Holy men of old what great things they ſuffered. This it was not from ſtrength innate or inbred, but from ſtrength given and renewed. Thus we ſee what Caſe and Conditions this Priviledge does hold good to Gods Servants which wait upon him.
Now Secondly, For the means or wayes whereby we may take them thus; Chriſtians they do renew their Spiritual ſtrength in theſe obſervations.
Firſt, In the renewing of their Repentance; as Sin it weakens us, ſo Repentance it recovers our ſtrength, it puts us in ſtatu quo, brings us back to our former Condition. By true and unfained Humiliation for any ſtrength which has been loſt by us through any defect, we do get up that ſtrength again in us, which accordingly is a very good courſe in ſuch a caſe to be taken by us; when we find our Spiritual ſtrength to be decayed, bewaile it, and lament it before God, with ſadneſs and bitterneſs of Spirit; while Chriſtians do thus, they do hence very much profit and benefit themſelves in this particular.
Secondly, In renewing of their Covenant, as by bewayling what is paſt, ſo by Solemn purpoſes and ingagement of themſelves for time to come; as long as men are at an indifferency whether they ſhould leave their luſts or no: ſo long their Iuſts prevaile upon them, and as long as men hang off from good purpoſes, and are not fully reſolved about them; ſo long do they contract more impotency, and indiſpoſition to them: But now Abſoluteneſs, and Peremptorineſs of Ingagement, this does convey ſome ſtrength unto them, while we are ſtrong in our Reſolutions; we come from hence to be ſtrong in our Performances, and to be more fitted and inabled for them.
Thirdly, In the renewing of their Obedience: Look by what we loſe our ſtrength, by the contrary to that we recover it, and get it again; now we loſe it many times by the doing of that which is Evil, and by the omiſſion of that which is good; therefore by that which is oppoſite and contrary hereunto we muſt reſtore it. Hence 'tis Chriſts counſel to the Church of Epheſus, which had loſt her firſt love, (and ſo loſt her firſt ſtrength) that ſhe ſhould do her firſt works; that ſhe ſhould return to the acting of thoſe things which ſhe had now remitted and fallen from, as that which was the beſt way to recover her to her former Condition; and here eſpecially, to the uſe of the Ordinances, Prayer and hearing of the word, and receiving of the Sacrament, which are the proper means appointed to this purpoſe.
Laſtly, In the renewing of their Faith, and in the Exerciſe of it: A Chriſtian gathers new ſtrength and ſupply of Spiritual Grace by reparing to the true ſpring and Fountain and Original of it, which is the Grace of God in Chriſt; Our ſtrength it lies in Him, and therefore by a ſpirit of Faith muſt be daily and Continually fetch't from Him, and that upon all occaſions: And it is our great Comfort and Incouragement that we may have it but for the fetching, for ſo we may, in a due and ſerious Appli- of our ſelves to him; we may draw ſtrength from him: Nay we ſhall do as is here ſignified to us. They that wait upon the Lord ſhall renew their ſtrength. Here's the priviledg, and the Condition of being made partakers of it. The Priviledg that's renewing of our ſtrength. The Condition that is waiting upon the Lord. Be followers of them ſays the Apoſtle who through Faith and Patience inherit the Promiſes. Heb. 6.12. And again, Heb. 10.36. Ye have need of Patience that after ye have done the will of God ye may receive the Promiſe. Even ſo it is here: This promiſe of ſtrength renewed unto us is not onelyonly to the perſons of Beleivers, but to them eſpeciall under this Notion, and in the ererciſe of this act of Beleiving.
We muſt therefore ſtill remember this, that we be ſuch as wait upon the Lord; for that's the Condition, by which Expreſſion the ſpirit of God comes home to the heart of many a weak Chriſtian, and ſatisfies the objections which they may make; for ſome might be ready to ſay: Alas! we find no ſuch matter as this is, which you now ſpeak off, we have little or no ſtrength at all; if we have had ſome (it may be) heretofore, yet we have loſt it and know not how to recover it, and to get it up again; now for ſuch they muſt be perſwaded to wait, and to conſider whether they have done ſo or no; for this ſtrengthning it belongs to waiting, and is promiſed to thoſe that are careful ſo to do, we muſt uſe the means and waite upon God, for ſhewing us the uſe of them. Go to the Ordinances, and by Faith fetch power from Chriſt, who alone can make them to be Effectual unto us. Pſal. 27. verſ. 14. Wait on the Lord, be of good Courage, and he ſhall ſtrengthen thine Heart: wait I ſay on the Lord.
To ſatisfie us the more in this particular, conſider but how it is with us in regard of our Natural Suſtenance and the food of our Bodies. The ſtrength which comes by it, it is not conveyed preſently, but by leaſure when the meat is digeſted: Indeed there is delight, and ſweetneſs, and pleaſantneſs even in the very firſt going down of it, but the ſtrength of it that comes after it; Even ſo is it likewiſe here as to theſe Spiritual things. The ſweetneſs of the Ordinances, that's in the very partaking of them, and in the time of the uſeing of them; In Praying and Hearing, and Communicating, and Meditateing &c. A Gracious heart it does taſte and relliſh them, even then when 'tis about them: But the ſtrength which is conveyed by them that's a Buſineſs of leaſure and time, and therefore we muſt wait for it, and ſtay Gods time for the giving of it. Thou therefore that complaineſt of Weakneſs, conſider whether thou haſt waited for ſtrength, and waited for it in his own way, and in the uſe of thoſe means, which he has ordained and appointed to thee.
Eſpecially, Conſider how far Chriſt Himſelf has been taken into this Buſineſs, which is the means of all: There are many think to renew their ſtrength, and how do they think to to do it? Namely by ſtrength of their own; their own Vowes, and Duties, and performances (which yet by the way) muſt not be neglected, but we muſt be ſtrong in the Grace of Chriſt, and in the power of his might and Spirit, or elſe all our ſtrength it will be but weakneſs it ſelf. This is that which the Apoſtle Paul was ſenſible of, as we may ſee by his practiſe, and the courſes which he took to this purpoſe; by his practiſe for the Epheſians. Eph. 3.14.16.17. For this cauſe I bow my knees unto the father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt: That he would grant you according to the Riches of his Glory to be ſtrengthen'd with might by his ſpirit in the inner man; that Chriſt may dwell in your Hearts by Faith, that ye being rooted, and grounded in love may &c. So in like manner by his practiſe for the Coloſians. Col. 1.11. Strengthened with all might according to his Glorious Power &c. And ſo now I have done done with the Firſt General part of the Text, which is the Propoſition in General. They that wait &c.
The Second is the Demonſtration or Confirmation of this in the Particular, that we have in the words following. They ſhall mount up with Eagles wings. They ſhall run &c. Wherein we have the ſtrength of a Chriſtian laid forth and amplified to us by a reſemblance from a threefold motion.
Firſt, Of Flying. Secondly, Of Running. Thirdly, Of Walking. Of Flying, They ſhall mount up with Eagles wings. Of Running, They ſhall run and not be weary. Of Walking, They ſhall walk and not be faint.
Wee'l begin firſt of all with the former, and that is the motion of Flight. They ſhall mount up with Eagles wings: Here's mention made of the Wings of the Eagle, as we may conceive for two reaſons eſpecially.
Firſt, As the Eagle is an Emblem of ſtrength renewed for ſo it is, as we find it in Pſal. 103.5. Who ſatisfieth thy mouth with good things, ſo that thy youth is renewed like the Eagles. Certain it is that the Eagle is longer-liv'd then many other Birds. The Naturaliſts, as Ariſtotle and Pliny &c. Which write the ſtory of living Creatures, affirms this of it, that it never Dies of old Age, but onelyonly of Famine; for the upper-Bill being at length over-grown, it is thereby hindred from putting meat into it's mouth, and ſo at laſt comes to Die. So the Prophet by this Similitude here ſignifies that thoſe which wait upon the Lord, they ſhall grow more and more urgent, and lively enven to their old Age it ſelf, according to that alſo of the Pſalmiſt. Pſal. 92.12.13.14.
The Righteous ſhall flouriſh &c. They ſhall bring forth Fruit in their old Age, they ſhall be fat and flouriſhing. So then the Eagle is here pertinently mentioned in reference to this.
But Secondly, The Eagle it ſoares aloft, and flies on High; whence that Proverb Aquila in Nubibus, and ſo it is further an Emblem of Meditation, and Heavenly-mindedneſs, and ſerves to ſhew unto us how this ſpiritual ſtrength which is in Chriſtians, and Believers, ſerves to raiſe their hearts and thoughts above theſe things here below, which is a bleſſed and an happy effect of it, and to be taken notice of by us, A Chriſtian, he is one that mounts upward, obſerve that: That by which the Apoſtle John is reſembled, does in a ſort belong to every Believer, and that is to be as an Eagle. This is the Diſpoſition of good Chrians to be heavenly in their Meditations and Deſires, to be carryed up aloft.
This they are upon theſe grounds.
Firſt, Out of reſpect to Chriſt, who is their Head, and is in Heaven already. It is our Saviours own obſervation to this very purpoſe, Luk. 17.37. That whereſoever the body is, thither the Eagles will be gather'd together: Now Chriſts Body that is in Heaven, and we do from thence look for the Saviour, therefore ſo far forth, as we are his, our affections will be carryed thither likewiſe; and ſo the Apoſtle Paul inforces it, Col. 3.1. If then ye be riſen with Chriſt, ſeek thoſe things which are above, where Chriſt ſitteth at the right hand of God, ſet your affections on things above, and not on things on the Earth. It is a Diſpoſition which does but befit the Reſurrection and Aſcenſion of Chriſt, to be heavenly-minded in our affections and deſires.
And Secondly, The New Nature which is in Chritians, this inclines them hereunto likewiſe; what makes fire to go upward, becauſe it has a principle in it which it does ſo diſpoſe it? Every thing acts ſutably to its principles, and ſo it is here: Believers they are born from above, and therefore is is, that they are carryed up thither; They have heavenly diſpoſitions, and therefore they have heavenly deſires. They which are after the fleſh, do mind the things of the fleſh, and they which are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit, ſayes the Apoſtle in Rom. 8.5. He that is of the earth, is earthly, I am from above, ye are from beneath, ſayes our Saviour to the Jewes. Thoſe which are men of the world, they mind nothing but the world, as ſutable to their worldly temper and condition; but thoſe which are regenerate and born again, they have ſomething in them which doth ſavor of Heaven, and ſo from thence become heavenly likewiſe in thoſe things whereunto they do incline.
Thirdly, The end they are ordained to; they are begotten to a lively hope, and to an heavenly Inheritance. This is that which is further conſiderable, not onelyonly what they are begotten of, which is an immortal Seed, but likewiſe what they are begotten to; which is an Inheritance Immortal: Now where ſhould the minds of great Heirs be? but there where their Eſtates lye; This is the Caſe and Condition of Believers, as the Apoſtle Peter at large expreſſes it, in 1 Pet. 1: 3, 4. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, tat fadeth not away, &c.
Let us therefore according to this touchſtone make tryal of our ſelves, and ſee what indeed we are. Thou that pretendeſt to be a Chriſtian, where are thy thoughts? where are thy Deſires? where are thy Affections? whether doeſt thou mount up with Eagles wings yea or no? what a ſhame it is for thoſe which are Profeſſors of Chriſtianity and Religion, to be ſuch muckworms as ſometimes they are, to lye groveling with their faces upon the earth, and to mind nothing elſe but theſe things here below, as if here were their onelyonly happineſs and felicity, which they lookt after as if there were no other world but this to be cared for by them; not to be Eagles ſoaring aloft, but Serpents creeping upon the ground, and feeding upon duſt it ſelf. Oh let men never lay claim to the ſtate and condition of Chriſtians, whiles it proves to be thus with them, whiles their hearts are ſo inordinately faſten'd and glued to theſe inferiour matters; at leaſt let them not pretend to this ſtrength which is here ſpoken of, or to the renewing and reparing of it, for we ſee here what happens to thoſe which are thus affected; They that wait upon the Lord ſhall renew their ſtrength, and they ſhall hereby ſhew that their ſtrength is renewed by mounting up with Eagles wings; ſo then the more that there is of ſpiritual ſtrength, the more is there is of Heavenly-mindedneſs as conſequent and following hereupon. This is that whereunto it works, and whereby it will be known and diſcovered; whiles therefore any ſhall give themſelves liberty in contrary courſes; when they ſhall be Wordly and Carnal, and Unſavory, and minding earthly things, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, (Phil. 2. verſe 19) where's the life? where's the power? where's the ſtrength of Religion all the while? To what purpoſe are we Chriſtians, if we have not ſomewhat in us above other men, and the common rank and ſort of the world. They ſhall mount up with Eagles wings. It is an expreſſion of a Chriſtians Heavenly-mindedneſs in alluſion to the Eagles of flying high aloft.
Thirdly, They ſhall mount up with Eagles wings, here's the ſwiftneſs and agility of the motion, not to hang the wing, there is that alſo conſiderable in it, and that to ſet forth a Chriſtians ſtrength. A good Chriſtian he performs good Duties with ſome life and fervor in them, and his heart is exceedingly raiſed, and lifted up, and quicken'd in him in the performance of them, he cloſes with God, and injoyes communion with him, at ſuch time as he is about them.
This it meets with all dead and ſleepy, and faint, and heartleſs ſervices, which have no heat, nor ſtrength at all in them. And ſo much of the firſt kind of Motion, whereby a Chriſtians ſtrength is reſembled, viz. of flying, He ſhall walk, &c.
The Second is of Running, They ſhall run and not be weary. Wearineſs, it does proceed from weakneſs, which by ſtrength would be kept back and prevented; but this is the ſtate of ſtrong Chriſtians that they ſhall not be weary, no not then even at ſuch time as they run, which might ſeem to indiſpoſe them thereunto. There's two things conſiderable in it. Firſt, There Motion. And Secondly, The Continuance of this Motion, or its effect upon them.
For the firſt, Their Motion it ſelf, it is here expreſt by running; This is a Chriſtians pace, eſpecially that has any ſtrength in him, He runs and makes haſt, Pſal. 119.32. I will run the way of thy Commandments, when thou ſhalt inlarge my heart. And Paul, I therefore run, as not uncertainly, 1 Cor. 9.26. And to the Hebrews, Heb. 12.1. Let us run with patience the race which is ſet before; and many ſuch places as theſe.
This is a pace which is very requiſite for him.
Firſt, Becauſe he has a great way to go, much ground to be diſpatcht, and therefore there's need of ſpeed for the paſſing over it. The Goale is a great way off, it muſt be run unto.
Secondly, But a little time, and much time loſt already. Thoſe that have hitherto ſtood ſtill, it concerns them at laſt to run; this is the caſe of the beſt of us all: we have loſt very much time, and we had need to redeem it.
And then Thirdly, The vehemency of deſire to the thing it ſelf which we run for. It is a Crown we contend for, and therefore it is worth our running for it. 1. Cor. 9.25. They do it to obtain a corruptable Crown, but we an Incorruptable.
Well, we ſee what our pace properly is; and accordingly let us betake our ſelves to it with all diligence.
But Secondly, Here's the continuance of this Motion. They ſhall run and not be weary: There are many which ſometimes run but they run themſelves out of Breath, are burſt and broken winded in their running: They begin, but they ſoon give over as the Galathians. Gal. 5.7. Ye did run well, who hindred you? Its ſeems they did not hold out. No more do many more, make a great ſtir for a while, very hot in their firſt ſetting out in the ways of Religion, and Chriſtianity; but then they ſoon tire and grow weary: But now a ſtrong Chriſtian does not do ſo, he that partakes of this Spiritual ſtrength which the Prophet here ſpeaks of. He ſhall run and not be weary: He ſhall be conſtant and perſevering in Goodneſs, without yeilding and giving back. Look what our Principles are in Religion, ſuch is our continuance in it. If we have principles of Spiritual ſtrength in us, we ſhall abide and hold out to the end; whereas otherwiſe we ſhall ſoon have enough of it.
There are ſome kind of people in the world, which all on a ſudden they will be better reform'd, and amend their lives, and who but they? But let them try but for a little while; let them meet but with ſome ſtrong Temptation which they are to reſiſt, or fall upon ſome difficult Duty which they are to perform, and they are preſently weary of thoſe purpoſes and indeavours, and grow as bad as before. Why? What's the reaſon of all this? Becauſe they wanted this principle of Spiritual ſtrength in them. Their ſtrength it was but the ſtrength of Nature or Cuſtom, or ſome carnal Conſideration: It was not ſtrength from the Spirit of Chriſt, and this is the Comfort it brings with them; whereas true Spiritual ſtrength indeed, it has perſeverance attending upon it. They ſhall run and not be weary.
The Third and Laſt is Walking: They ſhall walk and not faint. Walking it is leſs then Running, and Fainting it is more then Wearineſs: If then thoſe which run are not weary, the ſame when they walk ſhall not faint; this will neceſſarily follow hereupon: But the main ſcope and drift of the Holy Ghoſt by theſe phraſes and Expreſſions is no more but this; Namely to point out unto us the frame of a Chriſtians Spirit as to Spiritual things, which is this to have a great deal of vigor and livelineſs in him: And we have upon the matter the ſame thing laid out to us in a diverſity of Expreſſion. Although (if we pleaſe) we may alſo faſten ſome different and diſtinct notions upon them.
And ſo now here in not fainting, we have the courage and magnanimity of a Chriſtian exhibited to us; It is that which we often meet withall in Scipture in ſundry places, as commended to our Indeavour. Rev. 2.3. It is the Commendation of the Church of Epheſas, that ſhe had laboured and not fainted. 2. Cor. 4.1. The Apoſtle ſpeaks it of himſelf and the reſt of his Brethren. As we have received thy Miniſtry. And verſ. 16. of the ſame chap. For which cauſe we faint not but through our &c.
There are divers things which we are ſubject to faint at, which yet the Scripture ſtill takes us off from fainting at.
As Firſt, The delay of anſwering our Prayer: If we are not heard as ſoon as we ask, we are from hence apt to faint. Well, but we muſt not for all that, our Bleſſed Saviour himſelf takes us off from it. Luk. 18.1. Where he teaches us always to pray, and not to faint, illuſtrated by a Parable.
Secondly, Our manifold Afflictions we are apt to faint at them; but this we are forbid to do. Heb. 12.5. My Son deſpiſe not the Chaſtening of the Lord, neither faint thou. When &c.
Thirdly, The Afflictions of others, and the ſcandall of the Croſs, as Peter Maſter ſave thy ſelf: This we ought not to do neither: St. Paul to the Epheſians. Wherefore I deſire ye that ye faint not at my Tribulation for you, which is your Glory. in Eph. 3.13. Fainting at at others Tribulations.
Laſtly, The many Buſineſſes in Religion, ſuch a do, and ſo much work to be performed, we are ready to faint and to be weary of it: So much Praying and Preaching, and Hearing we are apt to ſnuff at it, and it is a wearineſs to us, as it was there in the firſt of Mal. But it ſhould not be for all that; we ſhould indeed faint at none of theſe things neither, if we be ſtrong Chriſtians we will, we ſhall walk here and not faint.
Well, But how ſhall we avoid it? what may keep and prevent us from it? The Scripture that forbids it, ſhews it and gives us antidotes againſt it in divert and ſundry particulars.
Firſt, Conſider the Recompenſe at laſt, do not faint, for at laſt ye ſhall ſpeed; yea and ſo much the rather too for not fainting. In due ſeaſon we ſhall reap if we faint not. Gal. 6.9. The hope and certainty of ſucceſs is a Special argument to keep us from fainting.
Secondly, Look upon Chriſt, ſet him as a pattern before us. Conſider the Contradiction of Sinners which he ſuffered, leaſt ye be weary, and faint in your minds. Herb. 12.3.
But then Laſtly, Which is the Buſineſs of the Text, get a renewing of this Spiritual ſtrength day by day, and deſire God to beſtow it upon us, which is the only way of comming by it. This if it be indeed in us, it will have this influence and effect upon us, as to make us to mount up with Eagles wings, and as to make us to run and not be weary; ſo to walk alſo and not to faint, which is the laſt thing here conſiderable. So much both for this Time and this Text. But they that wait upon the Lord ſhall renew their ſtrength &c.