The Triumph of Mercy in the Chariot of Praise, Treatise · Chapter 9
CHAP. IX. The Anatomy of Mercies.
FOR the Higher Advancement of Divine Goodneſs in all our Enjoyments, and to learn that excellent Leſſon of Godly Contentment in all Eſtates, it were expedient to peruſe, conſider, and unbowel every mercy that comes down from Heaven. We have little reaſon to expect any when we remember our inability to merit, unskilfulneſs to improve, our ingratitude in ſlender returns of the leaſt Benefits wherewith we are laden every day. It's meer free grace that ſhowers down Kindneſſes upon our barren, murmuring, and repining Spirits. Did we but refreſh our memories with the many thouſands better than us who are yet below us,Pſ. 37.1. we ſhould never fret at the proſperity of the wicked, that are above us. In what a pleaſant Paradiſe might our thoughts expatiate, did we beautifie our Meditation with the proſpect of the Flowry Medows interwoven with Chryſtal ſtreams, and the gentle riſing Hills crowned with lovely Groves, more delicious than thoſe of Woodſtock? when we contemplate the various numbers, curious methods, amazing circumſtances, the unexpected ends, and ſurprizing deſigns in the Lawnes and cloſe Walks of Mercy. When we pore upon ſins, pry too curiouſly into afflictions, grieve too ſmartly for imbitterments by Relations, and toyle our Spirits with the loſſes and croſſes of this Life; we diſquiet our ſelves in vaine, and are too ſubject to mutter at every little diſappointment and inconvenience. We augment our troubles, prolong our miſeries, and run upon the brink of danger to charge a Gracious God fooliſhly. Let us then turn our eyes into the Anatomy-School of Mercies, and cut open the Inwards, and ſpend a diligent view on the curious Situations and various turnings, and ſmaller Arteries of every Divine Favour; and holding up hands with Holy Jacob, Gen. 32.10.proclaim our unworthineſs of the leaſt of mercies; and while we are muſing what might comparatively be eſteem'd the leaſt, as that we have a Being, and Life, and draw one Breath of Air, the Original conducts us into his Courts with praiſe and gratefulneſs,foreign Katonti. I am leſſened in mine own eyes before every mercy; the leaſt of which should humble and lay us low in the ſight of God. What am I, and what is my Fathers Houſe, that the great God ſhould cauſe to great faithfulneſs and truth to ſhine before us, and lighten our Path to Glory? The School of Salerne writes of the Body of Man, [Ex tricentenis decies ſex quinqué que venis,] That it conſiſts of 365 Veins, one for each day of the Year. To be ſure there is not one particular Mercy but yields matter of Contemplation all the days of our Life. We ſhould cut open the Root, climb the Branches, ſmell the Flowers, and taſte the Fruit of Divine Love in every Mercy.
O rare Imployment, when we ride, or walk, or ſit, or lye waking in the Night,Pſ. 77.5. to ruminate in the days of Ancient times, & run over the ſtate of the Church from Geneſis to the Revelations, and compare our caſe with any of the Saints of old, and work our hearts into praiſes, as David often begins his Pſalms with mournful Elegies, and concludes with joyful Extaſies. As the Ancient Church ſprang in Aegypt, paſt through Paran to Sinai, and at length ſat under their Vines in Canaan. So every Saint enters his life with a Tragedy, but ends in Heaven.
The firſt curioſity of each mercy lies hid in the Texture of a minute ſeed, which though exceeding ſmall, yet by the influence of Heaven ferments and ſwells into a mighty Cedar. Who would think that the ſpreading Oaks of Baſhan ſhould ſleep under the ſhadow of a ſmall Acorn, and the ſweet-ſented Trees of Lebanon in a petty Berry. What vaſt Crocodiles of Nile break Shell from a ſmall Egg? What Rivers of Fire, the firſt little ſparks of Sulfur, do kindle from the bowels of Aetna? What little diſtaſte at firſt overthrow mighty Empires at laſt? and what great Eſtates and Dominions ſtart out of little caſualties? The grand Ottoman Empire aroſe firſt out of the Flight of Mahomet, and Darius by the neighing of a Horſe rode into the Throne of Perſia. One glance upon a poor captive Maid brought Eſther to a Kingdom, Haman to the Gallows, and Iſrael to deliverance. David brought Cheeſes to the Army, perhaps in the ſame Bag wherein he carried ſtones to fling into the Fore-Head of Goliah, and in the ſame brought back his Head to Saul. Nay Saul himſelf, when ſeeking of Aſſes, found a Holy Prophet and a glittering Diadem. The magnificent Kingdom of Solomon was almoſt all quite rent from his Son Rehoboam by a few harſh inconſiderate words to his People. A Dream hurries Joſeph from Canaan to Aegypt. and a Dream hands him out of Priſon into Pharaoh's Chariot.2 Kin. 7.6. A meer rumour ſaves Samaria from Famine, and a Kingdom from ruine.Ezek. 38.10. An evil thought in the Heart of Gog in the later days ſhall bring the Turkiſh Armies into the Mountains of Iſrael, and there to a fatal ſlaughter in the Vally of Harmageddon.
The motions of Hearts are ſometimes infuſed, but always conducted by God. Sacred Story derives from Heaven the kindneſs of Abimelech to Abraham, of Laban and Eſau to Jacob, of Ruth to Naomi, of Boaz to Ruth, and Jonathan to David. When others think of kindneſs to us,Pſ. 40.17. let's imitate David, 'Tis the Lord that thinketh upon me, and forms thoſe thoughts within their hearts. This ſhould calm our Spirits, when a former Friends heart is alienated by raſh admiſſions of falſe ſuggeſtions, or when any faithful Jonathan expires his Spirit into the boſom of God. It should not be loſt what Hobſon, the late noted Carrier of Cambridge, ſaid to a young Student receiving a Letter of the ſad tidings of his Uncles deceaſe (who maintain'd him at the Univerſity) and weeping bitterly, and reciting the cauſe of his grief, he reply'd, Who gave you that Friend? Which ſaying did greatly comfort him, and was a ſweet ſupport to him afterward in his Miniſtry. The ever-living God is the Portion of a living Faith, and he can never want that hath ſuch an Ocean. He that turns the Hearts of Kings like Rivers at his pleaſure, turns all the little Brooks in the World into what ſcorched and parched ground he pleaſes.
The Seed-plots of Mercy are often moiſtned with ſoaking ſhowers of affliction, before they ſprout and appear above the ground. Our hopes may be long buried under clods of preſſing troubles; the Blade nipt and withered by keen Froſts, and lye foot deep under Mantles of Snow before the quickning Spring. Jacob had the Seed of the Promiſe in his boſom, and carried it to Padan in Meſopotamia, and 20 bleak Winters muſt blow over him before he comes to ſet one foot upon his Rich Inheritance. Joſeph's Feet were hurt in Irons, to fit him to tread more delicately in the King's Palace at Zoan; and when the Lord's time was come,Pſ. 105.18. by the ſame ſtairs which winded him into the Dungeon, he climbs up into the next Chariot to Pharaoh's. Few can bear great and ſudden Mercies without pride and wantonneſs, till they are hampered and humbled to carry it moderately. Many heads run round in a maze of folly, if their haughty ſtomachs be not well cleanſed with the Wormwood-wine of adverſity. The prints of the Babylonian Iron fitted the Neck of Manaſſeh to wear a Chain of Gold, and the weight of his Fetters preſt down his Knees to Prayer. Some are forced to ſtoop like Camels and take up their Loads, and trace many a weary trot in a ſandy deſert, and drink their own Tears to ſlake their thirſt, leſt they ſhould kick when Provender-prick'd with proſperity. Such inſolent Spirits, like Beggers ſuddenly advanced on horſe-back, will ride moſt tyrannically on the backs of others, becauſe never made to bite on the Bridle. Did not wiſe providence in great mercy to their Souls, by breaking a Leg or an Arm, break their Hearts, the Earth were not able to bear ſome proud, impotent, inſulting Rufflers. Wiſe, and wary, and well-adviſed perſons remember that the Wheel is alway turning, and that they who have been low may below again. Solomon had ſeen Servants on Horſe-back,Eccl. 10.7. and Princes walk on foot upon the Earth. Bajazet was a mighty Emperor, commanding a great and puiſſant Army in the morning, and ſhut in an Iron Cage by night. And Valerian the Roman Prince that ruled from Euphrates to the Atlantick Ocean, was made a Foot-ſtool for Sapor King of Perſia to aſcend on Horſe-back,Matthias Hiſt Rom. p. 263. Ex Agathiae, l. 4. Goth. Eccl. and at laſt had his Skin flead off, and his Body ſeaſoned with Salt, and periſh'd miſerably. Let none boaſt of to morrow, for who knows what bloudy Rain may follow upon a red evening. It hath been reported, that a Learned Doctor of Oxford hung up his Leathern Breeches in his Study for a Memorial to Viſitors of his mean Original. The truth I avouch not, but Hiſtory tells us of Agathocles, who aroſe from a Potter to be King of Sicily, and would be ſerved in no other Plate at his Table but Earthen Ware, to mind him of his former drudgery. 'Twere well if ſome would remember whoſe Shoos they have cleaned, whoſe Coals they have carried, and whoſe Money they have borrowed, and deal gratefully with their Creditors,Fox Martyrol. vol. 2. as the good Lord Cromwel did by the Florentine Merchant in the time of Henry the 8th, when Woolſy like a Butcher forgot the King his Maſter. 'Twas otherwiſe with Holy David, who being in Kingly dignity,Pſ. 78.71. graciouſly calls to mind his following the Ewes great with young, when now feeding the Sheep of Iſrael. His Golden Scepter points at his Wooden Hook, and he plays the old Leſſons of his Oaten Pipe upon his Algum Harp, and ſpreads his Bethlehem 'Tent within his Marble Palace on Mount Zion.
There be profound Myſteries of Mercy in the deep of Affliction, and golden Oar is often dug from the dark Caves of reſtraint, and great deliverances ſlide into us upon the ſtreams of Sorrow. God ſometimes ſets our Corn fields on fire, to enlighten our path to himſelf. Storms in the Voyage to Tarſus drive Jonah 2 Sam. 14.30.quite back to Nineveh. He ſhuts our Shops, that we may open our Souls to him. Many break and are undone here, that they may be made for ever. A crack'd credit heals a Shipwreck'd Conſcience. Their Coin is melted by a London Fire, that the Heart may not truſt in uncertain Riches; and a melted Heart is more worth than a Kingdom of Bullion. Naked Job when ſcraping his Boils on the Dunghill, was clad with the rich Array of Humility, and his Ruby Botches glittered with patience, and became a more honourable Perſon than in Purple among the Elders at the Gate of Aezia. Earthly Riches take wings and fly up to Heaven to receive a new diſpoſal,Pro. 23.5. and Heavenly Riches fly down and make a happy change. When poor and ſordid Spirits are liſted up by a yellow Muckhill,Iſ. 4.6. God is pleated to ſink their Ships by a ſouthweſt wind, that they may learn in their old Age to ſwim naked to the Rock of Ages. When Eſtates flow into mens Cheſts, and their aflections ebb from God; if good in the main, no wonder if ſhortly their Ears tingle with a rouſing Hurrican, and a Moth of envy & reproach eat up their credit, and a Worm ſent to gnaw at the Root of their Subſtance. Many bluſtering Storms ſplit carnal hopes, that in broken planks of mercy they may recover the port of happineſs.
The Paths of Mercy are wonderfully intricate, that we may ſtudy and learn to diſcry the windings of Providence. God led his people by a right or ſtraight way, ſays David, but in a very crooked and winding way according to the Stations ſet down by Moſes. Pſ. 107.7The cloudy Pillar gave them many a weary turn to chaſtize their crooked hearts. Their Journey took them up 40 years, which might have been performed in paſſing over but 92 Miles from the Border of Egypt to the Southern City of Canaan: For Peluſium or Sin in the Land of Sinim, the laſt City of Aegypt, was diſtant but 92 Miles from Rhinocurura or Nahalmizraim, Iſ. 27.12.the firſt City of Canaan, on the brook in the South of Simeons Tribe, called the River of Aegypt in Scripture; as appears by the Itinerary of Antonine the Emperour, which at 10 Miles a day, conſidering ſo vaſt a multitude, makes but 9 days journey to arrive at the Land of Promiſe. Yet in what vaſt wandrings to and fro in that howling Wilderneſs did they rowl about? Four ſeveral times they were commanded to turn about.
Firſt,Exod. 14.2. Numb. 33.7. Numb. 14.25. Deut. 1.40. Deut. 2.3. Numb. 14.34. from Etham to Pihahiroth.
Secondly, from Mount Horeb to the Mount of the Amorites.
Thirdly, from Zinkadeſh by the Amorite Mountains, quite back again to the Red Sea.
And Fourthly, from the Red Sea northward again; beſides other Special Turns according to the various Stations in the Wilderneſs to bear their Iniquities, and know Gods Breach of Promiſe, which though failing to them that believed not, and ſo firſt brake with him; yet was fulfilled to a tittle with their Children, whom the murmuring Fathers had conſigned to be a prey in the Deſert.
The poſterity of thoſe Repiners were taught better manners by the Briars and Thorns of Sinai. We never carve well for our ſelves, when we ſnuff at the portion cut out to us by the Hand of God. The way to our old Lovers is hedg'd up with merciful thorns, to turn us into the right way to the new Jeruſalem. Auſtin. Confeſ. l. 9. c. 9.Auſtin ſays of his Mother Monica; She had learn'd the Leſſon of a Vertuous Wife, not to reſiſt her offended Husband, [Non tantùm factor, ſed nè verbo quidem,] Not by an unſeemly word, much leſs in carriages. How much more obſequious behaviour owe we to the Father of our Spirits, that we may live in his love; and to that Heavenly Husband of all gracious and meek Souls, to gain his delight in our perſons by reſembling himſelf? Then out of ſeeming diſcouragements we may draw real and experienced comforts,Iſ. 12.3. and out of the deep Wells of trouble the Waters of Salvation and Joy. As the Woman of Canaan by our Lords calling her a Dog to try her Faith, proved her ſelf to be one of the loſt Sheep of the true Iſrael, which he came down to find.
We muſt behave and quiet our ſelves like weaned Children under allPſ. 131.2. the toſſings and tumblings of their Mothers. Holy contentation and lowlineſs of Spirit muſt huſh all the proud whimperings of our minds in the hour of Trial, till we become like little Children, if we would enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Jacob ſerved for a Wife,Hoſ. 12.12. and for a Wife kept Sheep in Aram, ſays the Prophet; though by an unkind brother was frighted thither, and by an hard Uncle was hurried back, by untoward Children forced from Shechem, and by a threatning famine compelled into Aegypt; and all to this end, that God might nouriſh the People of Shem in the Land of Ham, to prepare them for the Milk and Honey of the Land of Canaan, at that time the poſſeſſion of Ham's Poſterity.
God glorifies many an Attribute in one ſingle Mercy, and teaches us to pry into every one, and to gaze upon the Luſtre and Tapeſtry-work of all his Mercies. Though God is never the holier or wiſer, more powerful or juſt, by our glorifying his Name;Joh 25.6. yet 'tis our duty and his tribute, our homage and his condeſcending ſavour to accept it. The 3 glorious perſons did glorifie each other before all worlds, and do ſtill. The Son was always rejoycing before the Father.Prov. 8.30. The Son prays, Father glorifie thy Name; and a Voice from Heaven anſwers,Joh. 12.28. I have both glorified it, and Will glorifie it again: And the Son prays,Joh. 17.5. That the Father would glorifie him with that Glory which he had with him before the World was. And ſpeaking of the Holy Spirit, he ſaith, He ſhall glorifie me; Joh. 16.14.yet he is pleaſed to ſet forth his Name, that we ſhould aſcribe the Honour due to it.Pſ. 29.2. Pſ. 50.23. He that offers praiſe glorifies him. To this end ought we to obſerve what wiſdom ſhines in contrivement, what power in management againſt all oppoſition, and what mercy in finiſhing and landing ſuch a Favour in our Boſoms. So that when we little dream ſuch an Affair can come to paſs, it ſuddenly ſurprizes us with admiration and aſtoniſhment, by unſpeakable Mazes and winding Labyrinths without our trouble; that as we now ſtand ſtill and ſee his Salvation, ſo we may all our lives ſit ſtill and ſolace our Spirits with the curious Embroidery of Divine Providence. We may ſay as Naomy to Ruth about Boaz, Ruth 3.18.Sit ſtill, for the man will not be at reſt till he finiſh the thing this day. Reſignation of our concerns to the Wiſdom of God ſhould cure all anxious and querulous thoughts about Events and Iſſues. If God deſign ſuch a Mercy, all the Powers on Earth cannot hinder it; and if it be againſt his ſecret Will, all the Princes on Earth cannot further it. Yea, if never ſo near to attainment, yet a trifling ſurmiſe ſhall blaſt it. Follow the conduct of Providence by the Lamp of the Word, and this, Ariadnes's Thread will lead through all ſecret and dark turnings, into the pleaſant Fields of Enjoyment. This conſideration, as it ſhould ſtay our Spirits in reference to all outward Mercies, ſo more eſpecially as to eternal. Where Election hath pitch'd an eye of Love, the Hand of Mercy will certainly guide to Heaven, If an elect Veſſel could be imagined to be in the centre of the Earth, the very Bowels of the Earth ſhould open, and a Golden Chain of Mercy be let down to draw up that Soul into the Centre of Heaven. I knew a Holy man, Mr. Chriſtopher Hewling, who living in a profane Village in the Foreſt of Dean, had a Godly Miniſter ſent thither on purpoſe to convert him, as that Reverend perſon profeſt himſelf: For he was there but a little time, I think about a year; and as ſoon as my Friend was converted, the profane people roſe up againſt his Miniſtry, and chaſed him away. Not unlike a more glorious Inſtance of our bleſſed Lord,Joh 4.4▪ who (the Spirit of God ſays) muſt needs go through the Province of Samaria, that he might convert the poor old Woman of Sychar or Shechem at the Well of Jacob. How ſhould we admire God, who is often pleaſed to go out of the ordinary way of Providence, to bring ſome into the way of Paradiſe!
Meditation muſt ſweeten our thoughts of God, by pondering on his Mercy, and what ſpecial goodneſs is wrapt up in every divine kindneſs. The circumſtances of time and place, the methods, the means, the ſtraits and exigencies, the perſons, and ſpeeches, and thoughts, of heart are tranſcendent in contributing to, and producing of admirable ends and iſſues.Gen. 22.14. In the Mount will the Lord be ſeen. When the Pſalmiſt's Feet had well nigh ſlipt,Pſ. 73.2. v. 24. Pſ. 66.11, 12. yet was continually, with God, and held by the right hand of his Counſel till received to glory. He brings us into the Net, cauſeth men to ride over our heads, and carries us through fire and water into it wealthy place. When the Oil ſcarce wets the bottom of the Cruſe, and the Meal ſpent from the Barrel, then comes the Prophet with a Miracle.1 K. 19.6. When Elijah was faint under a Tree at Rithmah, then comes the Angel and bakes a Cake for him with Juniper Coals while yet aſleep, and awakes him to eat it. When Moſes, lay crying in a Cage of Bulruſhes upon the River Nile, inſtead of a Crocodile to devour him comes the Daughter of Pharaoh to relieve him, and nurſe him up for a King; nay to pay his own Mother for nurſing her own Son. We ſhould nouriſh ſweet thoughts of God, when afflictions miniſter ſharp to Senſe. We may be nouriſh'd by the Meat from the Eater, and ſuck Honey from Flowers that grow on Thorns. God hath ordained varieties and ſucceſſions in all. The Night, the Storms, the Winters and Wilderneſs of a Saint, ſhall end in a glorious Sunſhine day, and an everlaſting Somer in Heaven; that ſo in the midſt of all anxious & perplexing thoughts within us thy Comforts may delight our ſouls.Pſ. 94.19. It's a double word or a quadrate-root in the Hebrew, and ſignifies to play or ſport with delight and exceſſive Joy,foreign and is uſed by the Prophet Eſay to note the exuberant felicity of the Church in the later days, when ſhe ſhall be dandled and danced over and over upon the knees of proſperity and mercy.Iſ. 66.12.
The aims and ends of God ſhould be eyed in every providence. Sennacharib was ſent to correct and not deſtroy his people;Iſ. 10.7. howbeit he meant not ſo, but to cut off Nations not a few. Stay, ſays the Lord, ſhall the Ax boaſt againſt the Hewer, and the Saw ſhake againſt the Handler? Let the Staff know it ſelf to be but wood. For yet a very little while and mine indignation againſt Jeruſalem ſhall ceaſe, and mine anger ſhall end in the deſtruction of Nineveh and Babylon. When men determine, they muſt ask leave of God, or elſe they ſhall ſuck the Venome of the Cockatrice Eggs which themſelves have laid. Like that infamous Pope,Baleus in Alexand. 6. p. 485. who was himſelf poyſoned with the ſame wine he had prepared for his Cardinals. Joſeph's Brethren meant his ruine,Gen. 50.20. but God meant it for good to ſave much people alive, to nouriſh his Father juſt 17 years in Egypt, the ſame number that he was nouriſh'd by his Father in Canaan, and to lay the foundation of a People that ſhould be the ruine of Egypts Armies.Pſ. 37.6, 7. Reſt in the Lord, and wait patiently for him, and he ſhall bring forth thy Righteouſneſs as the light, and thy Judgement as the noon day. Jam, 5.11.Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and ſeen the end of the Lord; he is very pitiful and of tender mercy. Although my houſe be not ſo with God, 2 Sam. 23.5.ſays David; yet he hath made with me an Everlaſting Covenant, ordered in all things and ſure. Let's finiſh this Chapter with ſome Inferences.
The Anatomy of former Mercies puts an Argument in the mouth of Prayer, a Glaſs to the Eye of Faith, and a Harp in the Hand of Thankfulneſs. Whoſo knows and conſiders he is worthy of nothing, will be meek and ſweetly ſatisfied with every diſpenſation of God.Zeph. 2.3. Seek the Lord all ye meek of the Earth. A meek Spirit is of a praying and thankful frame.
Holy contentation is the Fruit that grows upon the Tree of Obſervation of foregoing Providences. All former ſtorms have iſſued in ſpiritual calms. When the Diſciples Ship was full of Waves,Mat. 8.26. Mark. 6.48. Chriſt comes and treads the boiſterous billows into a ſmooth plain under the Foot of his Command. Who can divine what infinite wiſdom is doing? who knows what errand a flight of Snow, or a clap of Thunder, or aſhower of Rain, is ſent upon? When a Gentleman once riding furiouſly was ſtopt by a terrible ſtorm, and forced into a Smith's Shop; demanding of him, for what particular uſe ſome of his mechanick Tools might ſerve? He replyes in a chaff, He knew not: Then ſays the good man, How much leſs can you tell for what ends the wiſe God may ſend this forcible Rain from the Clouds! Judg. 5.21.A Lion was once forced into a Pit by Snow, and perhaps many a life ſaved, and the valour of Benajah tried and proved.1 Sam. 12.10. Samuel obtained a Victory upon the Philiſtines by thunder.2 Sam. 23.20. Great Rains from Heaven overflowed the Banks of Kiſhin, and ſwept away the Canaanites into the Gulf of Deſtruction.
Experiences of the preſidents in former conducts teach a Saint not to ask riches, preferment, or health, or ſucceſs, or any outward mercy with an impotent and impetuous Spirit; but with ſubmiſſion to, and conſiſtency with the love and good pleaſure of God. Say upon thy knees, Bleſſed Lord, I beg to have, and ſee, and taſte thy love in every mercy. Nay, to diſcern that every croſs is the fruit of fatherly Love, and every deliverance ſweetned by the ſtraits and preſſures which turn the anſwer of prayer into an experience to fortifie faith. If then we are inſtructed by former eſcapes to carry our Croſs to Golgotha with our Lord and Simon, we ſhall certainly riſe from Mount Olivet to a Crown in Heaven.