Sermons, Sermon 12
SERMON, XII.
Psal. CXII. 7. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
ALL the special designs of men agree in this, They seek satisfaction and quietness of mind, that is, happiness. This then is the great question, Who is the happy man? 'Tis here resolved, verse 1. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth in his Commandments.
This Blessedness unfolded as a rich Landskip, that we may view the well mixed Colours, the Story and Tissure of it. The whole Alphabet in Capital Letters; and take all and set them together, 'tis a most full compleat Blessedness, not a Letter wanting to it. Amongst the rest, that we have in these words, is of a greater magnitude and brightness than many of the rest, He shall not be afraid of evil tidings.
Well may it begin with a Hall…l…jah a Note of praise to him in whom this Blessedness lies. O what a wretched Creature were man, if not provided to such a Portion, without which is nothing but disappointment; and thence the racking torment and vexation of a disqueited mind, still pursuing somewhat that he never overtakes.
The first words as the Inscription; The Blessednesses of that man, &c. So the particulars follow: Where outward Blessings are so set, as that they look and lead higher, pointing at their end, the infinite goodness whence they flow, and whither they return and carry along with them this happy man.
And these promises of outward things often evidently accomplish'd to the Righteous, and their Seed after them, and that commonly after they have been brought very low. But when 'tis otherways with them they lose nothing, 'tis good for many, yea, 'tis good for all the Godly, that have less of these lower things to raise their eye to look after higher; the eye of all, both of these that are held somewhat short, and for those that have abundance in the World.
These Temporal promises more abounding, and more frequently fullfilled, in their very kind, in the times of the Law, yet still the right is constant, and all Ages do give clear examples of the truth of this word; where it is thus, 'tis a blessing created by its aspect to this promise, and so differs from the prosperity of Ungodly men, and where 'tis otherways with the Righteous and their Seed, 'tis no shift but a most solid comfort to turn their eyes to a higher Compensation.
But howsoever it go this still holds: He shall not be afraid of evil tidings, notwithstanding the hardest news that can come to his cars, of any thing that concerns himself or his Children, or the rest of Gods Children in his charge in the World. His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
First, let us take a little of the Character of this Blessed man. Who is it that is thus undaunted? The man that feareth God.
All the passions are but several ebbings and slowings of the Soul, and their motions are the signs of its temper; which way it is carried, that is mainly to be remark'd by the beating of its pulse. If our desires, and hopes, and fears be in the things of this World, and the interest of Flesh, this is their distemper and disorder, the Soul is in a continual Fever; but if they move Godwards, then is it compos'd and calm in a good temper and healthful point, fearing and loving him, desiring him, and nothing but him, waiting for him, and trusting in him. And when any one affection is right, and in a due aspect to God, all the rest are so too, for they are radically one, and he is the life of that Soul that is united to him; and so in him it moves in a peculiar Spiritual manner, as all do naturally in the dependance of their Natural Life, on him that is the Fountain of Life.
Thus we have here this fear of God; as often elsewhere set out as the very substance of Holiness and evidence of Happiness. And that we may know there is nothing either base or grievous in this fear, we have joined with it delight and trust, Delighteth greatly in his Commandments, which is that Badge of Love to him to observe them, and that with delight, and with great exceeding delight; so then, the fear is not that which Love casts out, but that which Love brings in. This fear follows and flows from Love, a fear to offend, whereof nothing so tender as Love; and that, in respect of the greatness of God, hath in it withal a humble reverence. There is in all Love a kind of reverence, a cautious and respective wariness towards the party loved; but especially in this, where not only we stand in a lower relation, as Children to our Father, but the goodness that draws our love doth infinitely transcend our measures and reach, therefore there is a rejoycing with trembling, and an awful love, the fearing the Lord and his goodness, Hos. 3. ult. This both fear and trust, the Heart toucht by the Spirit of God, as the Needle toucht with the Loadstone, looks straight and speedily to God, yet still with trembling, being filled with this holy fear.
That delighteth] Oh! this is not only to do them, but to do them with delight; somewhat within is Connatural and Symbolical: Yea, this very Law it self writ within, not standing as a hard Task-master over our head, but imprest within as a sweet principle in our hearts, and working from thence naturally. This makes a Soul find pleasure in purging out of sensual pleasures, and ease in doing violence to corrupt self, even undoing it for God, having no will but his; the remainders sin and self in our Flesh, will be often riof sing up, but this predominant Love dispels them. So this fear works with delight.
And further, that we may know how serene and sweet a thing it is, it is here likewise joyned with confidence, Trusting, a quickning confidence always accompanying it; and so, undoubtedly, it is a blessed thing. Blessed is he that feareth. Fear sounds rather quite contrary, hath an air of misery; but add, Whom? He that feareth the Lord, that touch turns it into Gold. He that so fears fears not, he shall not be afraid; all petty fears are swallowed up in this great fear, as a Spirit inur'd with great things is not stir'd nor affected at all with small matters. And this great fear is as sweet and pleasing as these little fears are anxious and vexing; secure of other things. If my God be pleased, no matter who is displeased; no matter who despise me, if he account me his; though all forsake me, my dearest friends grows estranged, and look another way, if he reject me not, that is my only fear; and for that I am not perplexed I know he will not: As they answered Alexander when he sent to enquire what they most feared, thinking possibly they would have said Lest he should invade them. Their answer was, We fear nothing but lest Heaven should fall upon us; which they did not fear neither. A Believer hath no fear but of the displeasure of Heaven, the anger of God to fall upon him, he fears that; that is, accounts that only terrible; but yet he doth not fear, doth not apprehend it will fall on him, is better perswaded of the goodness of his God, so this fear is still joined with trust, as here, so often elsewhere, Psal 33. 18▪ and 40▪ 3. and 147. 11.
There is no turbulency in this fear, 'tis calm and sweet; even that most terrible▪ Evil, that which this fear properly apprehends and flies, Sin, yet the fear of that goes not to a distraction. Though there is little strength, and many and great Enemies, mighty Anakims of tentations from without, and corruption within, and so good reason for a holy humble fear and self distrust, yet this should not beat us off; yea, is most fit to put us on to trust in him who is our Strength. Courage! the day shall be ours, though we may be often foyled and down, and sometimes almost at a hopeless point, yet our head is on high, he hath conquered for us, and shall conquer in us; therefore, upon this confidence, so fear as not to fear. Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about? Psal. 49. 5. Which I take is some grievous affliction, and that with a Visage of punishment of sin; guiltiness to be read in it, yet not fear. If I trusted in Wealth, and boast my self in the multitude of Riches, then that being in hazard I must fear; leaning on that, it failing, I might fall. But this is my confidence, ver. 15. God will redeem my Soul from the power of the Grave, for he shall receive me; wealth cannot, but he can. It buys not a man out from his hand, but he buys from the hand of the Grave. So the word is.
For the visible Heavens, even their fall and the dissolution of Nature, would not affright a Believer, Psalm. 41. 1. Si fractus illabatur orbis, &c.
Alas! most persons have dull or dim apprehensions, and shallow impressions of God, therefore they have little either of this fear or this trust. God is not in all their thoughts, but how to compass this or that design, and if they miss one then to another; they are cast from one wave upon another, and if at any time they attain their purpose find it but Wind, a▪ handful of nothing; far from what they fancied it.
Oh M. B. my desire is that the faces of your Souls were but once turn'd about, that they were towards him, looking to him, continually fearing him, delighting, trusting in him, making him your All. Can any thing so elevate and ennoble the Spirit of a Man, as to contemplate and converse with the pure ever blessed Spring, and Father of Spirits? Beg that you may know him, that he would reveal himself to you, for otherwise no teaching can make him known, 'tis to light Candles to seek the Sun, to think to attain to this knowledge without his own revealing it. If he hide his face, who then may behold him? Pray for this quickening knowledge, such a knowledge as will affectually work this happy fear and trust.
You that have attained any thing of it, desire and follow on to know the Lord; particularly, so as your hearts may repose on him; so fear as you may not fear. He would have our Spirits calm and quiet, for when they are in a hurry and confussion, they are then fit for nothing, all within makes a jarring unpleasant noise, as of an Instrument quite out of Tune.
This fear of God is not, you see, a perplexing, doubting, and distrust of his love; on the contrary, 'tis a fixed resting and trust on his love. Many that have some truth of Grace, are through weakness filled with disquieting fears; so possibly, though they perceive it not, it may be in some a point of wilfulness, a little latent undiscern'd affectation of scrupling and doubting, placing much of Religion in it. True, where the Soul is really solicitous about its inter…st in God, that argues some Grace, but being vexingly anxious about it, it argues that Grace is low and weak; a sparkle there is even discovered by that smoak, … it, the great smoak still continuing, and noth… seen but it, argues there is little Fire, little Faith, little Love.
And this▪ as it is unpleasant to thy self, so to God, as smoak to the eyes. What if one should be always questioning with his friend whether he loved him or no, and upon every little occasion were ready to think he doth not, how would this disrelish their Society together, though truly loving each other? The far more excellent way, and more pleasing both to our selves and to God, were to resolve on humble trust, reverence and confidence, most afraid to offend, delighting to walk in his ways, loving him and his will in all, and then resting perswaded of his love though he chastise us; and even, though we offend him, and see our offences in our chastisements, yet he is good, plenteous in redemption, ready to forgive. Therefore let Israel trust and hope, let my Soul roll it self on him, and adventure there all its weight; he bears greater matters, upholding the frame of Heaven and Earth, and is not troubled nor burden'd with it.
The heart of a man is not sufficient for Self-support, therefore naturally it seeks out some other thing to lean and rest it self on. The unhappiness is, for the most part, that it seeks to things below it self; these being both so mean and so uncertain, cannot be a firm and certain stay to it. These things are not fixed themselves, how can they then fix the heart? Can a man have firm footing on a Quagmire, or moving Sands? Therefore men are forc'd in these things still to shift their seat, and seek about from one to another, still rolling and unsettled. The Believer only hath this advantage, he hath a rest high enough and sure enough, out of the reach of all hazards. His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord, Psal. 81. 2.
The Basis of this happiness is, He trusteth on the Lord. So the heart is fixed; and so fixed, it fears no ill tidings.
This trust is grounded on the Word of God, revealing the Power and All sufficiency of God, a… withal, his Goodness, his offer of himself to be the stay of Souls, commanding us to rest on him. People wait on I know not what perswasions and assurances, but I know no other …o build Faith on, but the Word of Promise, the truth and faithfulness of God opened up, his wisdom, and power, and goodness, as …he stay of all these, that renouncing all other props will venture on it, and lay all upon him. He that believes, sets to his Seal that God is true; and so he is sealed for God, his Portion and Interest secured. Isa. 7. 9. If you will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.
This is the way to have peace and assurance, which many look for first, Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stay'd on thee, because he trusteth in thee, Isa. 26. 3. So here, the heart is fixed by trusting.
Seek then clearer apprehensions of the faithfulness and goodness of God, hearts more enlarged in the notion of free Grace, and the absolute trust due to it; thus shall they be more establish'd and fix'd in all the rollings and changes of the World.
Heart fixed] Or prepared, ready, prest, and in Arms for all Services; resolved not to give back, able to meet all adventures, and stand its ground. God is unchangeable, and therefore Faith is invincible that sets the heart on him, fastens it there on the Rock of Eternity: Then let Winds blow, and Storms arise, it cares not
This firm and close cleaving unto God, hath in it of the affection, which is inseparable from this trust, Love with Faith; and so a hatred of all ways and thoughts that alienate▪ and estrange from God, that remove and unsettle the heart. The holiest wariest heart is surely the most believing and fixed heart; if a Believer will adventure on any one way of sin, he shall find that will unfix him, and shake his confidence, more than ten thousand hazards and assaults from without. These are so far from moving, that they settle and fix the heart commonly more, cause it to cleave the closer and nearer unto God, but sinful Liberty breeds inquiet, and disturbs all. Where Sin is, there will be a Storm; the Wind within the Bowels of the Earth makes the Earthquake.
Would you be quiet, and have peace within in troublous times, keep near unto God, beware of any thing that may int…pose betwixt you and your confidence. It is good for me (say the Psalmist) to be near God; not only to draw near, but to keep near, to cleave to him, and dwell in him. So the Word. Oh the sweet Calm of such a Soul amidst all Storms; thus once trusting and fixed, then no more fear. Not afraid of evil …idings, not any ill hearing. Whatsoever sound is terrible in the Ears of men, the noise of War, news of Death, even the found of the Trumpet in the last Judgment; he hears all this undisquieted.
Nothing is unexpected being once fixed on God; then the heart may put cases to it self, and suppose all things imaginable, the most terrible, and look for them. Not troubled before trouble with dark and dismal apprehensions, but satisfied in a quiet unmoved expectation of the hardest things. Whatsoever it is, though particularly not thought on before, yet the heart is not afraid of the news of it, because fixed trusting on the Lord; nothing can shake that foundation, nor dissolve that union, therefore no fear. Yea, this assurance stays the heart in all things, how strange and unforeseen soever to it, all foreseen to my God, on whom I trust, yea, fore-contrived and ordered by him. This the impregnable Fort of a Soul, all is at the dispose and command of my God, My father rules all, what need I fear?
Every one trusts to somewhat; as for honour, and esteem, and popularity, they are airy vain things, but riches seem a more solid work and fence, yet they are but a Tower in conceit, not really. Prov. 18. 11. The rich mans wealth is his strong City, and as an high Wall in his own conceit, but the name of the Lord is a strong Tower indeed, ver. 10. This the thing, all seek some fence and fixing; here it is, we call you not to vexation and turmoil, but from it. And as St. Paul said, Act. 17. Whom ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you; ye blindly, and fruitlessly seek after the shew. The true aiming at this fixedness of mind will make that, though they fall short, yet by the way they will light on very pretty things that have some vertue in them, as they that seek the Philosophers Stone! But the Believer hath the thing, the secret it self, of Tranquillity and Joy, and this turns all into God, their Iron Chains into a Crown of Gold, 2 Cor. 4. 17, 18.
This is the blest and safe estate of Believers. Who can think they have a sad heavy life? Oh! it is the only lightsome sweet chearful condition in the World, the rest of men are poor, rolling, unstayed things, every report shaking them, as the leaves of Trees are shaken with the Wind, Isa. 7. Yea, lighter than so, as the Chaff that the Wind drives to and …ro at its pleasure, Psal. 1. Would men but reflect and look in upon their own hearts, 'tis a wonder what vain childish things the most would find there, glad and sorry at things as light as the toys of Children, at which they laugh and cry in a breath; how easily pu…t up with a thing or word that pleaseth us, Bladder like, swell'd with a little air, and it shrinks in again in discouragements and fear upon the touch of a Needles point, which gives that air some vent.
What is the life of the greatest part but a continual tossing, betwixt vain hopes and fears, all their days spent in these? Oh! how vain a thing is a man even in his best estate, while he is nothing but himself, his heart not united and fixed on God, disquieted in vain, how small a thing will do it: He need no other but his own heart, it may prove disquietment enough to it self, his thoughts are his Tormentors.
I know some men are, by a stronger Understanding and Moral Principles, somewhat raised above the vulgar, and speak big of a constancy of mind, but these are but flourishes, an acted bravery; somewhat there, may be that will hold out in some trials, but far short of this fixedness of Faith, troubles may so multiply, as to drive them at length from their posture, and come on so thick with such violent blows, as will smite them out of their Artificial Guard, disorder all their Seneca and Epictetus, and all their own calm thoughts and high resolves. The approach of Death, though they make a good M…en, and set the best Face on't; Or if not yet some kind of terrour may seize on their Spirits, which they are not able to shift off. But the Soul trusting on God is prepared for all, not only for the Calamities of War, Pestilence, Famine, Poverty, or Death, but in the sadest apprehensions of Soul, above hope, believes under hope, even in the darkest Night, casts Anchor in God, reposes on him when he sees no light. Isa. 50. 10. Yea, though he slay me, says, Job, yet will I trust on him; not only though I die, but though he slay me; when I see his hand lift up to destroy me, yet from that same hand will I look for Salvation.
M. B. My desire is to stir in your hearts an ambition after this blest Estate of the Godly that fear the Lord, and trust on him, and so fear no other thing, the common Revolutions and Changes of the World, and those that in these late times we our selves have seen, and the likelihood of more and greater coming on, seem dreadful to weak minds, but let these perswade us the more to prize and seek this fixed unaffrighted Station; no fixing but here where we make a Vertue of a Necessity.
Oh! that you would be perswaded to break off from the vile ways of Sin, that embase the Soul and fill it full of Terrours, and disingage them from the Vanities of this World to take up in God, to live in him wholly, to cleave to, and depend on him; to esteem nothing beside him. Excellent was the answer of that Holy man to the Emperour, first essaying him with large proffers of Honour and Riches, to draw him from Christ. Offer these things (says he) to Children, I regard them not. Then after he try'd to terrifie him with threatning. Threaten (said he) your effeminate Courtiers, I fear none of these things.
Seek to have your hearts established on him by the Faith of Eternal Life▪ and then it will be asham'd to distrust him in any other thing. Yea, truly, you will not much regard, nor be careful for other things how they be, 'twill be all one, the better and worse of this moment, the things of it, even the greatest, being both in themselves so little and worthless, and of so short continuance.
Well chuse you; but all reckon'd and examin'd, I had rather be the poorest Believer, than the greatest King on Earth. How small a Commotion, small in its beginning, may prove the overturning of the greatest Kingdom, but the Believer is Heir to a Kingdom that cannot be shaken; the mightiest and most victorious Prince, that hath not only lost nothing, but hath been gaining new Conquests all his days, is stopt by a small Distemper in the middle of his course. He returns to his Dust, then his vast designs fall to nothing, in that very day his thoughts perish▪ But the Believer, in that very day, is sent to the possession of his Crown, that is his Coronation day; all his thoughts are accomplisht.
How can you affright him? Bring him word his Estate is ruined, yet my Inheritance is safe, says he. Your Wife, or Child, or dear Friend, is dead, yet my Father lives. You yourself must die; well then, I go home to my Father, and to my Inheritance:
For the publick troubles of the Church, doubtless it is both a most pious and generous temper, to be more deeply affected for these then for all our private ones, and to resent common Calamities of any people; but especially of Gods own people, hath been the Character of men near unto him. Observe the pathetical strains of the Prophets bewailing, when they foretel the desolation even of Foreign Kingdoms, much more for the Lords chosen people, still mindful of Sion, and mournful for her distresses, Jer. 9. 1. and the whole Book of Lamentations. Psal. 137. If I forget thee, O Jerusalem. Pious Spirits always publick, as even brave Heathens for the Commonwealth: So he, in that of Horace *Invenit insomni volventem publica cura fata virum, casusque urbis, cunctisque timentem, securumque sui..
Little regarding himself, but much solicitous for the publick. Yet even in this, with much Compassion, there is a Calm in a Believers mind. How these agree none can tell but they that feel it, finds amidst all hard news, yet still a fixed heart trusting. Satisfied in this, Deliverance shall come in due time, Psal. 102. 13. And that in those Judgments that are inflicted, man shall be humbled and God exalted, Isa. 2. 11. and. 5. 15, 16. And that in all tumults and changes, and subversion of States, still his Throne is fixed, and with that the Believers heart likewise, Psal. 93. So Psal. 29. 10. The Lord sitteth upon the floud: Yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever. Or sate in the Floud, possibly referring to the general Deluge, yet, that then God sate quiet, and still sitteth King for ever. He steer'd the Ark, and still guides his Church through all. So Psal. 46. throughout that whole Psalm. In all Commotions, the Kingdom of Christ shall be spreading and growing, and the close of all shall be full Victory on his side, and that's sufficient.
Of this, a singular example is in Job, who was not daunted with so many ill hearings, but stood as an unmov'd Rock amidst the Winds and Waves.Ille velnt rupes unmota manebat..
In this condition there is so much sweetness, that if known, a man might suspect himself rather selfishly taken with it, than purely loving God; such joy in believing, or at least, such peace, such a serene calmness, is in no other thing in this World, nothing without or within a man to be named to this of trusting on his goodness, he is God, and on his faithfulness, giving his promise for thy Warrant. He commands thee to roll thy self on him. The holy Soul still trusts in the darkest apprehensions; if it is suggested thou art a Reprobate, yet will the Soul say, I will see the utmost, and hang by the hold I have, till I feel my self really cast off, and will not willingly fall off. If I must be separated from him he shall do it himself, he shall shake me off while I would cleave to him. Yea, to the utmost I will look for mercy, and will hope better: though I found him shaking me off, yet will I think he will not do it. It is good to seek after all possible assurance, but not to fret at the want of it, for even without these assurances, which some Christians hang too much upon, there is in simple trust, and reliance on God, and in a desire to walk in his ways, such a Fort of Peace, as all the assaults in the World are not able to make a breach in. And to this add, that unspeakable delight in walking in his fear joined with this trust. The noble ambition of pleasing him, makes one careless of pleasing or displeasing all the World. Besides, the delight in his Commandments, so pure, so just a Law, Holiness, victory over Lusts, and Temperance, hath a sweetness in it that presently pays it self, because his Will.
'Tis the Godly Man alone, who by this fixed consideration in God, looks the grim Visage of Death in the Face with an unappal'd mind. It damps all the joys, and defeats all the hopes of the most prosperous, proudest, and wisest Worldings. As he said, when shot, Avocasti ab optima demonstratione. It spoils all their Figures andArchimede…. fine Devices. But to the Righteous, there is hope in his Death: He goes through it without fear, without Caligula's Quo vadis. Though Riches, Honours, and all the Glories of this World, are with a man, yet he fears, yea, he fears the more for these, because here they must end. But the good man looks Death out of Countenance, in the words of David, Though I walk through the Valley and Shadow of Death, yet will I fear no Evil, for thou art with me.