Forty-Five Sermons Upon Psalm 130, Sermon 19
SERMON XIX.
Pſalm 130. Verſe 5. I wait for the Lord, my ſoul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
6 My ſoul waiteth for the Lord, more than they that watch for the morning, I ſay more than they that watch for the morning.
YE heard when I entred upon this Pſalm, that the firſt ſix Verſes contain the wreſtling and the exerciſe the Pſalmiſt was under, as the laſt two Verſes contain his victory and iſſue, and his improvement of it.
For his wreſtling and exerciſe, it conſiſts (as ye heard) of three branches, ye have him wreſtling with the difficulties and plunging perplexities in his caſe; theſe he expreſſes under the Metaphor of depths, and his wreſtling with them is, by fervent wreſtling and crying to God in Prayer, verſes 1, 2. 2. Ye have him wreſtling with the Conſcience and ſenſe of guilt, that obſtructed his audience, put back his Prayers, and offered to cruſh his hopes, and with that he wreſtles in the 3, and 4. Verſes, by taking with the dreadful deſert of ſin, by laying hold on God's pardoning Mercy, and carrying alongſt with him God's end in letting out pardoning Mercy to ſinners, even that he may be feared: and of this ſubject I have been ſpeaking at great length, and I muſt exhort and intreat, that though a cloſe be put to Preaching on it, that yet ye may not give over the minding of that Doctrine, it is that which will be your great Paſport; pardoning Mercy if ye obtain it, when ye come to grapple with the King of Terrors, and go through the dark valley of the ſhadow of death.
Now in the two Verſes read, ye have the Pſalmiſt in the third place wreſtling with delays of anſwers to his Prayers, or the delays of the out-gate prayed for, and theſe he wreſtles with by confident, patient, affection at waiting on God, I wait for the Lord, my ſoul doth wait, and in his word do I hope &c. And this purpoſe alſo we have cauſe to look unto, becauſe it gives an account of a Chriſtians conſtant exerciſe in time; he that would be a Chriſtian indeed, it is not enough that he pray in difficulties, that he take with the deſert of ſin, and look to pardoning Mercy, when Conſcience challenges him, but when he hath done all that, he muſt perſevere in ſo doing, and wreſtle with the delays of anſwers to his Prayer, he muſt give a proof of the patience, as well as of the Faith of the Saints, he muſt be a follower of theſe who through Faith and Patience inherit the Promiſes.
There is a general Remark which will make way to the purpoſe contained in the words, which I ſhall inſiſt on a little, that is That perſeverance and conſtant waiting on God in his way, is the great task of Saints, and the Touchſtone of their ſincerity in all other exerciſes and duties. This tryes how well breathed the Saints are, and what is their integrity in other exerciſes that they are at ſometimes, even that they be conſtant, bide by it, wait on God, and perſevere in waiting on him in his way, notwithſtanding they meet with delays.
And that I may unfold this General to you, ye ſhall with me take a threefold look of this perſeverance. 1. Look upon it in general, as it is oppoſed to Apoſtacy, backſliding & giving up with the ways of Religion. 2. (Which will deduce this General more fully and particularly) ye ſhall take a look of this perſeverance, as it imports a conſtant Tenor and courſe in waiting on God, and ſeeking of God, in oppoſition to folks phraſes, fairds and hot fits at ſome times, wherein they are but fleeting. And 3. (Which will lead me to the particular in the Text) look on it as it is oppoſed to wearying, ſitting up, or falling by from employing God, and waiting on him, if they be delayed, eſpecially in ſad diſpenſations, and exigences they meet with.
For the firſt of theſe, Perſeverance in general, as it is oppoſed to apoſtaſie, back-ſliding, and giving up with the ways of God, and godlineſs; I ſhall not dwell much on that Doctrine. The neceſſity of it appears in the Promiſes made unto it, Mat. 24.13. It is he that endures unto the end ſhall be ſaved: and Rev. 2. and 3. Chapters, it is always to the overcomer that the Promiſe is made, though I confeſs the Word, there being in the preſent time, To him that overcometh, or is overcoming, it is to aſſure them, that are in earneſt in the battel and in purſuit of the Victory, that they may grip the promiſe for their encouragement; yet it is to the overcomer, to him that endures to the end, to the compleat Victory that the Promiſe relates. Neither 2. ſhall I ſpeak to the poſſibility and impoſſibility of this apoſtaſie, and back-ſliding. I confeſs if I ſpeak of the Saints that are truely regenerat, it is impoſſible that they can totally and finally fall away. There is a ſeed that ſtill remains in them, 1 Joh. 3.9. Not that that ſeed being but a Creature can preſerve it ſelf of it ſelf, but its remaining and ſtability depends on the eternal decree of God concerning the Elect (For whom he forknows and predeſtinats to be conform to the image of his Son, them be alſo glorifies, Rom. 9.30.) upon the paction paſt betwixt the Father and the Son about the Elect, that the Father ſhall bring them to Chriſt, and that Chriſt ſhall loſe none of them. Joh. 6.39. Upon the Promiſes of the Covenant of Grace, that he will put his fear in their hearts, that they ſhall not depart from him, Jer. 32.40. And upon the interceſſion of Chriſt, that hath prayed for them that their faith fail not, Luke 22.32. Yet though it be certain that none of the truly Regenerat can totally and finally fall away: it is as certain that Temporaries, that bloſſom fair for a time, may totally and finally fall away: and it is no leſs certain that Saints may make Apoſtaſie, and fall away from many degrees of that life and vigour which once they had; They may with David give over waiting on God, and run away to the Land of the Philiſtines, 1 Sam. …7. They may with that Church of Epheſus forſake their firſt Love, Rev. 2.4. Nor 3. ſhall I inſiſt to lay before you the evil of Apoſtaſie, that is, the prejudice this back-ſliding hath with it, according to the degree and meaſure of it, as that there is firſt this woful ill in it, in being hindred in that which is good. Gal. 5.7. Ye run well, who hindred you, that ye ſhould not obey the truth. And 2. That there is in it a loſing of that which folks have gained, Gal. 3.4. Have ye ſuffered ſo many things in vain? Have ye loſt all theſe ſufferings ye endured in the world for Chriſtianity? and 2 Joh. verſe 8. Look to your ſelves that we loſe not theſe things that have been wrought; The progreſs that hath been made, the victory that hath been obtained over corruption, a man by Apoſtaſy, back-ſliding or ſitting up in the way of God, runs the hazard of loſing all that. There it alſo 3. a great hazard in Back-ſliding, upon the account of the indignity thereby offered to the Majeſty of God, it is a reflection on him, as if there were ſome iniquity in him, Jer. 2.5. What iniquity have your fathers found in me that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain? And verſe 31. Have I been a wilderneſs to Iſrael? a land of darkneſs? Werefore ſay my people, we are lords, we will come no more to thee; and Micah 6.3. O my people wherein have I wearied thee? What have I done unto thee? teſtifie againſt me. From all which it is clear, that it is a dreadful iniquity offered to the Majeſty of God, when his people back-ſlide from him. And 4. This courſe of Apoſtaſie is full of hazard, upon the account of the ſtumbling-blocks thereby laid in the way of others; the back-ſlider does all that he can to deter any to aſſay that courſe and way of Religion and Godlineſs, that he hath forſaken and turned his back on, when after he hath been for a time in Chriſt's company, he makes deſertion and leaves him, he proclaims to all the World, that there is not that ſatiſfaction to be had in him, and in his ſervice that he expected, and if all ſhould take his verdict, never one ſhould ingage in that courſe that he hath relinquiſhed. And 5. Apoſtaſie and back-ſliding is full of hazard, on the account of the dreadful conſequences that follow on it. I ſhall not need to inſiſt upon that, Prov. 14.14. The back-ſlider in heart ſhall be filled with his own ways; but many and dreadful are the plagues that abide ſuch a temper, that waits on back-ſliders; God will make out upon temporary back-ſliders, that which ye have 1 Pet. 2.21. It had been better for them not to have known the way of righteouſneſs, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them; and for the Saints when they backſlide, they lay a foundation of many ſorrows to themſelves, when God wakens them up to lay to heart their backſlidings, and to return to their firſt Husband, when he hedges up their way with Thorns, and makes a wall that they ſhall not find their paths, when they follow after their lovers, and cannot overtake them, ſeek them and cannot find them, till they find that iniquity of their backſliding to be hateful.
Running through theſe words ſhortly, I come to draw ſome words of uſe from what hath been ſaid: And 1. Folk would look what guilt may be among them, or upon them, of this kind; if I ſhould ſpeak to many in this time, there needs not a ſecret ſearch to find out their guilt, to prove their Apoſtaſie, and back-ſliding. How many are there that in their younger days, it may be had their buds, bloſſoms, and promiſes fair enough, and appearances of good, which when they are grown up, are rotten and withered, blaſted and gone. How many ſeem to have come far on in Religion, and all the length they came in ſeeking God, they have given it over? How many made a mint of ſeeking God in ſecret, and in their Families, and now they no more aſſay it, than if they were Pagans? What ſhall I ſay of Negatives? many have not only turned off all Religion in their Practice, but they are turned openly profane, and not only profane, but mockers, if ever they had any touch of Conſcience in themſelves, they are ready to call it Melancholy, ſillineſs, ſordid baſeneſs in ſpirit, and to bleſs themſelves that they have got their foot on it, and not only are they ready to mock at this work in themſelves, but to hate all others that will not run with them to the ſame exceſs of riot; look to it, it is a fearful and ominous thing to ſee the defection that is in this generation, among the generality of the Profeſſors of the Goſpel; and without all peradventure, if Repentance prevent not, it portends hard things; Backſliding is a ſin that Chriſt will not ſit with unrevenged; and ſhall I in this tryal come nearer to you, ye who have keeped your feet, and are not to be ranked among theſe that we have been ſpeaking of, come and try if ye may inliſt your ſelves among the waiters on God, or if ye be backſlidden and ſitten up; I confeſs there may be a temptation as to this, haunting a tender ſoul; ſome may think becauſe they make not ſuch din and noiſe of their Religion as ſometime they did, that they are backſlidden, but thou may have more life now than thou had in thy former frazineſs and forwardneſs; thou was before like green wood that has much din, will crack much, but hath leſs heat and light, but now thou art like the dry wood that has better light and more heat; and there may be alſo a miſtake on this account, that becauſe God is leading thee through the abominations of thine heart, and humbleth thee with the naughtineſs of thy diſpoſition, which he diſcovers to thee; thou may think thy ſelf worſe than ſometime thou was, when thou art not worſe, but ſees better than thou did before; therefore where there is tenderneſs we would guard againſt ſuch miſtakes upon that hand, where tenderneſs lies. But alas, we have greater cauſe to guard againſt a blind upon the other hand, that is, that becauſe folk keep up the tale of Duty, and are as frequently about Rel…gious Performances as they wont to be, they think they are not back-ſlidden, nor ſitten up in the way of God; and yet they are far from that love to, and delight in God, that once appeared in their Service and Worſhip.
And to inſtruct this a little to you, I would have theſe that would try if they be backſlidden from that they had, or might have had, or that others have attained, looking to theſe four or five things. 1. If they be growing, according to that, 2 Pet. 3.17.— Beware leſt being led away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own ſtedfaſtneſs, but grow in grace, & in the knowledge of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; There is no ſtanding ſtill in a Chriſtian courſe, the perſon that is not growing in the fruit, or to the root, that is not making progreſs in Sanctification, nor is not growing in Mortification and Humiliation for his ſhortcoming, he is certainly a backſliding perſon.
2. I would have folks looking to this, whether Religion in many be not come from their hearts to their heads, ſo that theſe who wont to be full of ſap, are now ſapleſs; theſe who had a lively impreſſion on their Souls, of the life and power of Religion, are now come to that, that all they have is bare taſtleſs notions & ſpeculations; not only do folks that are ſitten up, forget to look to the frame of the heart, and few cabinet counſels are betwixt God & them; but O how taſteleſs, ſapleſs, & lifeleſs is Religion & Religious Duties to them, they have a notion of Miſery and Mercy, of Sin and a Saviour, but it is like a dream, a thing they can look on with very little or no affecting of heart.
3. I would have folk that would try their frame▪ looking to this, what Conſcience is made of ſin, when the ſaints are in a right frame, they walk tenderly in a continual jealouſie of themſelves, they have many a reflex look back, check, and heart-ſinking for this and that they find amiſs, and this is not at a ſtart, but it will be their trade and exexciſe: But O when it comes to this, that thou art a ſtranger to a tender walk with God, to inward checks and challenges, and thy Throat grows wide, and thou gets over guilt without reluctancy, thou miſcarries, and thy light tells thee of it, but thy heart is not affected with it, that tells thou art ſitten up, for a growing frame is tender in the matter of ſin and guilt.
4. I would have folk that would try their frame, looking well to their diligence, It is the hand of the diligent that makes rich, Prov. 10.4. The ſoul of the diligent ſhall be made fat, Prov. 13.4. And therefore folks that are at little pains in the Duties of Religion, for the honour of God, and their own ſouls advantage, but ſpend much of their time in lazineſs, and carnalneſs, when they caſt up their accompts, they will find they are ſitten up, withered and under a decay.
5. And to add no more, They that would try their frame, would conſider, that though they be free of theſe things hinted at; yet if they be under a ſpirit of diſcouragement, they cannot be making progreſs. Look then to your frame, who are more tender, what diſcouragement ye find in it. The day was when the Duties of Religion, and cloſs following of Chriſt was thy delight; but now thy Conſcience is turned a Tormenter unto thee; thou drives heavily in any task thou art called to, thou art like Thomas, Joh. …1.16. who followed Chriſt but diſcouragedly, Let us go alſo, ſays he, that we may die with him; though thou keep up the tale of Duty thy diſcouragement evidences thou art fallen from thy firſt love, from that love which once thou had, or might have had.
Well then, try your ſelves by theſe things, what your growth is, what your heart-work is, what conſcience is made of ſin, what diligence in Duty, what diſcouragement in ſtead of delight; and when ye have tryed, reflect on that I ſaid before of your hazard and prejudice, what retardment in good, what loſs is in what ye had gained, what indignity hath been offered to God, what reflecting on him, what ſtumbling-blocks have been laid before others, what ſorrows ye have been brewing to your ſelves? And I ſhall only add this Conſideration, I wiſh that all back ſlidden and up-ſitten Profeſſors, would ponder that place, Rev. 2…4, 5. Where there is a Church that is very zealous, cannot bear with them which are evil, hath tried them, which ſaid they were Apoſtles, and found them liars, had born, and had patience, and for the Name of Chriſt had laboured, and not fainted; and yet Chriſt quarrels her, for that ſhe had loſt her firſt love; and what follows, Remember from whence thou art fallen, Repent, and do the firſt works, or elſe I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candleſtick out of his place: A Church leaving her firſt Love, her gradual decay may provock God to un-Church her, except ſhe conſider from whence ſhe is fallen, repent, and do her firſt works.
But a 2. word of Ʋſe, ſhall be to hint to you a direction, what folk ſhould do with an up-ſitten condition, when they find it and cannot win out of it; I confeſs it is not ſo difficult to find out the Diſeaſe, as the Remedy; and here (to ſay nothing to them that are ſo faſt a-ſleep, that they will not waken to conſider of their up-ſitten condition,) I find on the one hand, ſome that are ſenſible of their backſliding, ready to ſigh and go backward, they look upon their caſe as deplorable, and on themſelves as in an evil plight, and yet they loiter on, and win not to their feet: And I find on the other hand, others, who if a conviction of this kind be called home upon them, they think they will up and to their feet, and recover themſelves, but their fools haſte makes no ſpeed, while they look not to the cauſes of their declining, and ſeek not to get them heal'd; and herefore when the burnt of the Conviction is over, they are where they were, and do not amend; a Phyſitian that would cure a Diſeaſe, ſeeks firſt to know and remove the cauſes thereof; and that is the method I would recommend to you to follow, to conſider what it is that makes the people of God back-ſlide, ſit up, or decline in the courſe of Religion and Godlineſs; there are ſome Cauſes without, which I do not inſiſt on, when there is a dreadful ſhower of Spiritual Plagues rain'd upon a viſible Church; it is no wonder that ſome drops of it fall upon the godly; to allude to that, Mat. 24.12. Becauſe iniquity ſhall abound, the love of many ſhall wax cold, Though I know the meaning of the place looks like another way, that becauſe of the abounding of iniquity, folks ſhall not know with whom to walk, or intimatly converſe; nor ſhall I need to put you in mind of that new-fangle humor that is in many, That when Religion is new to them, make a faird at it, and thereafter ſit up, like Children that are taken up with Toyes, and preſently loſe conceit of them, and caſt them from them; ſo it is with many in the matters of God and godlineſs; but there are ſeveral cauſes of upſitting within, that ye would look unto; The firſt I begin at is, Conceit, which not only many time evidences a man to be nothing, If a man thinketh himſelf ſomething while he is nothing, he deceives himſelf, Gal. 6.3. and Rev. 3.17. Thou ſayeſt I am rich, and increaſed with goods, and have need of nothing, and knoweſt not, that thou art wretched, poor, blind, miſerable, and naked; But be a man what he will, if he conceit of it, his conceit of it ſets his height upon his head, he cannot make proficiency, yea, Conceit is the next door to Apoſtaſie; compare for this, theſe two paralel places, Hab. 2.4. his ſoul that is lifted up, is not upright in him, but the juſt ſhall live hy faith, but if any man draw back, my ſoul ſhall have no pleaſure in him, ſays the Apoſtle, Heb. 10.38. A lifted up Soul, and a drawing back Soul go together; therefore who would recover from their backſlidden condition, and find out the cauſes of it, they would look firſt to conceit as a main cauſe. O! how many a fair profeſſion hath Conceit blaſted? how many a hypocrite hath conceit diſcovered to be but empty casks without ſubſtance? yea more, how many really godly hath conceit loſt in the mire of apoſtaſie, till they conſidered and laid it to heart better than they did. 2. (Which hath affinity with the former of conceit) Take notice of carnal confidence as another great cauſe; when ever a Child of God wears out of a poſture of poor and needy dependence, when all beſide Chriſt is not fleſh to him, a ſlide abides him. When Job (29.18.) ſaid he ſhould die in his neſt, and multiply his days as the ſand, he was near a ſhake. When David, Pſal. 30.6. ſaid, in his proſperity he ſhould not be moved; God hid his face and he was troubled, his carnal confidence was backed with deſertion from God; Therefore beware of pride and carnal confidence, as ye would not decline and backſlide: And ye that would ſeek out the cauſes of your decayed condition, and endeavour a cure, look well to theſe two, as bringing you in the ſad poſture wherein ye are lying. The Lord bleſs his word to you.