The Poor Mans Cup of Cold Water, Text (3 of 3)

The Poor Mans Cup of Cold Water · Text (3 of 3)

p. 31Novv, Deare Friends, having interjected these few things of many, with a necessitat briefnesse, and blunt abruptnesse: Let me returne, to where I left: Viz. Resolve for suffering and feare none of these things which you shall, or can suffer: onelyonly feare to offend your God, and grieve your blessed guide: onelyonly feare that feareful and great name, which these men, who would put you in feare, have taken in vain: feare God, and then you need feare nothing else: For he, even he alone is to be feared: You may be bold as lions, whose blessednesse is both heightn…d and hastened by the worst the world can do unto you, because you feare him: Let th…t bl…ssed feare of God gaird you against that base feare of man, vvhichwhich even bringeth a snare: Oh the want of this …hich hath been amongst us, hath rendered us unfit for this holy vvar, vvherein vve should have plaid the men, for our God, and the glorious Concerns of his Crovvn and Kingdom! O vvhen vvill our heart some hardie & resolute putting … to our hand to his vvork, in the face of the greatest hazard, prove, that he hath put his feare in our hearts? for this feare not onelyonly …urnisheth with reason against the feare of frail fecklesse man, …ho cannot when he hath done what he can reach his hand beyond the Grave: And therefore our blessed Lord Jesus Ch…ist, a…gueing his Disciples, whom he sent out to Preach the Gospel, into an holy courage, when persecute by the rage of Kings & Councels for Preaching (which is this day our case: O when will he shorten these dayes for the elects sake?) he doth it by this argument Mat. 10:28. and Luk. 12.4. — B… not afraid of them that kill the body and …fter that, have no more that they can doe: (O blessed be he for that cannot; and for this also that these upright ones, whom they for this persecute, shall have Dominion over their persecuters in the morning!) But I will forewarne you whom you shall feare, fear him, which after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell. Yea I say, unto you feare him: But as it furnished with reasons, it fortifieth also, with rich and refreshing supplies: For it hath the goodnesse of God asvvel as the greatnesse of his terrible Majesty, for its object: and hereby is the hart emboldened, and the hand strengthened to struggle with whatsoever di…iculties and danger: Now th…refore, My Friends, to make it appeare, that God in making you new Creatures, hath made you men of other mettal, and Spirit, then the men of the world and cast you into an other mould; whereas their transgressions say plainly vvith in the heart of every man (vvho hath not the heart of a bea…t) that there is no feare of God before their eyes; so, let your feare of him, and your feare because of that to comply vvith their p. 32wicked lawes, which they have made, make it appeare, you have set the Lord alwayes before you: Let vvhat ever you doe or say, vvhen called to a compliance vvith the presen… course of iniquitie, have this plain import, and practical sense, how can we doe this great evil, and sin against God? He is a great God, and he is a good God, and he is our God, and therefore we dare not, we can…ot, we will not offend him, to please our persecuters.

But, Deare Friends, what have you to feare in following him? give it a name if you can, that the names of sweetnesse, and salvatio…, which are in him (and as his name is, so is he) answering the name of what ever you have to feare, may make it a nothing; or if it be any thing, such a thing, as he changeth its very nature and quality, and makes pay the toll and tribute of good to you. Do you feare, they will lash you with their tongues, which are as arrowes shot out, and load you with reproaches? Remember then, whose words these are: if you be reproached for the name of Christ, h…ppie are you: you may not onelyonly despise this shame, but weare it as your crown, and humbly b…ast of such a cognizance of your love and loyaltie to Christ: because the reason, adduced by the Holy Ghost, doth put the happinesse of such beyond debate: for, saith he, the spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you: as the spi…it of Satan and of shame rage…h in these reproachers; s… the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you. Are you afraid that b…sid…s …hese lashings you shall also be put to lose, for his sake? But why are you affraid of an …f an impossi…ilitie? If God h…th said it cannot be, it shall not be: why do you give it a being in your im…gination to to…ment your selves? or why are you not rather afraid, to lose the hundred fold in this life, even with persecution, and then that eternal life, and that immortal crown, which is …nsured, by the unfailing faithfulnesse of God, to such losers (…f I may abuse langu…ge, in cal…ling so great gainers, losers) in the other life? for if you s…ffer with him y…u shall reigne with him: what; will you be frighted out of the way, because of …he manifold temptations, and troubles you are exposed unto, by kee…ing of it? No: let t…is fortifie against that frighting feare, that as you are partakers of the su…ering, so shall you be of the con…olation: you ought rather to feare, to rob and deprive your selves, in a day, when su…h favours are a dealing, of that ground of rejoycing, that a pa…ticipation of the sufferings of Christ affords: O happie and blessed pa…ticipants of his sufferings! for, wh…n his glory shall be revealed, you also shall be made glade with exceeding …oy: O how cordial! O how corroborating is such an expectation? it will m…ke the expectant rejoice, with …oy unspe…k…ble and full of Glory: this is heaven (in all the he…ls of trouble, on this side of heaven) antidated: for, this is to be pa…takers already (as the Apostle'… phrase is) of the glory to be revealed. Do you feare su…ering, for that very cause, which he h…h no… onelyonly so often owned; but for owning of which, your blessed Lord and Master died, as a M…rtyr? Or are you not rather afraid, (I hope you are) that when Jesus Chr…st sh…ll come to judgement, and sit on the Throne of his Glory, and bring forth Scotland's Coven…nt made wi…h him, to be …ound amongst those, whose sentence is sealed under their own hand; for their sin is open, and gone before hand to judgement? O dreadful may the expect…tion of the hearts of every man of them be, in …hat day, who have had hand in tha… hainous wickednesse, when the Act rescissorie shall be brought forth, and laid besides that Covenant; and the question put to these pannels, trembling before the Tribunal of Christ; is this the performance of …our Oaths, Vowes, and Covenant-engagements to me? are you not afraid in that day to be classed (if but for the least compliance) amongst t…ose, who shall be found guiltie of L…sae-Majestie against the Son of God? against him, who then shall judge them? will there be a soul at that appearance, who dare avouch his having had a hand, in framing such a mische…fe as our Supremacy into a Law? or would it not rather be terrible to you, to think, that living in such a time, you should not have witnessed ag…inst these high and hainous wickednesses? Would you want the share of the commendation, and the glorious reward, that shall be given his witnesses? What if you should weep, yea and die in prisons? Besides, p. 33that there you may enjoy the glorious libertie of the Sons of God, and be feasted in your fetters, with the fruition of himself, and have your darke dungeons hung (if I may say so) with the very Arras of heaven, which is the presence of God, that can make these nastie and noisome holes, wherein you are as buried alive, preferable in…ompa…ably to all the Palaces of those, who persecute you. O there is no comparison! …esides this, I say which is the hundred fold ten thousand times told, out of these your prisons, you shall be brought to reigne, and have all your teares wiped away, and your prison rags taken off, and your rich robs, wherein for ever you shall reign, put on. Nay, what if you should be slaine for the word of God, and put to swime in to eternitie, in a sea of your own blood; what have you to feare? Though I walk thorow the valley of the shadow of death, I will feare no ill, (saith the Psalmist) for thou art with me O the presence of God with you, in that hour, will make it a sweet and short passage! would you not rather choise (if you durst make a choice) to enter eternitie, at this passage, and go, and take up your place, amongst the souls of your brethren under the Altar, there to cry with them, How long, O Lord God holy and true, &c. than, to be found, in the croud and company of these Kings, Captains, and Councellours, &c. who shall be made to cry to the mountains, and to the rocks, to fall on them, and hide them, from the face of him that sitteth upon the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb? O the wrath of the Lamb, in that day, falling upon those his now stated, and stout-hearted enemies, will make them change their note! The haughtie mockers at the prerogative of this exalted Prince Jesus, who then shall judge these jesters, the menacer… of his Subjects, and the persecuters of his Saints, for not complying with their God-dishonouring, Christ-dethroning courses, and contrivances, shall then know what it is, to have lif…ed up their head against heaven, and their heel against his poor people, whom they trod under foot! O the yelloch, that will be amongst Kings, and Captains, and Counsellours, when he shall speake to them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure, for having said (and essayed it too) let us burst their b…nds asunder, &c.

I shall not here trouble you, with the observation of the tremenduous …udgements of God, whereby some, that have been active in these cursed courses, have been hurried out of the world; nor with an account of the anguish and agonies, under which others of them, have died; nor yet of the ra…e Testimonies, which some, who obtained mercy and grace to repent, gave against this wicked course, wherein they had concurred, and for that cause, which they had persecuted: though he, who regairds not these works of the Lord, nor considers these operations of his hand, hath and bewrayeth sad symptoms of blindnesse and obduration: neither shall I here further then hint, to the end you may, for your establishment, take notie… of it, how wickednesse hath abounded amongst, and had a dominion over those, who have broken his Covenant: As if, all former restraints being taken off, he had said, henceforth my spirit shall no more strive with them: for, Alas iniquitie of all sorts ha…h so abounded… since the Nations enacted revolt from God; as the way of the generalitie (O that they, whose feet go down to death, and whose steps take hold on hell, may consider it, and be reclaimed!) if the word of the Lord be true, that without holiness… no man shall see the Lord; and that heaven is such a place, as there shall in no wise enter therein any thing that defileth, neither whosoever worketh abomination &c. hath everlasting seclusion from the presence of his glory, written on it; so that he who would be saved, must save himself from this generation, who rejoyce to do evil, and delight in the frowardnesse of the wicked. Since we broke our Covenant made with God, binding us to nothing, but an abiding with him, and walking before him, in our respective capacities; Satan hath got leave, to open very sluce of hell, and drown Brittan with such a deludge of profanitie, that the multitude (yea and they who are chiefe in these rebellions against God, are chiefe in all these other provocations) are carried down the current, swiming, and singing, in this impure pudle of all impietie against God, never considering, that this streame will at last sweep p. 34them down, and swallow them up, in the lake of fire and brimston: All these put together may make you feare, to fall in with their way, le…t you fall with them, in the hands of the living God. If they cannot give you securitie against this, and that is impossible; for the redemption of their own soul must cease for ever, if they both cease not to go on, and sorrow not for what they have done: Feare you not therefore their fear; onelyonly feare to forsake God, as you would not be forsaken of him: Nay, let your fortitude in refusing their bl…ke …onds, whereby, as the binder binds himself to an opposition to Christ, and the coming of his Kingd…me; so … binds over himself to the curse of a broken Covenant, either fright them, into a forbearance, or put them under the dreadful apprehensions of what they may expect, for opposing his Christ, persecuting the Gospel, and using his servants so, who dare not, in running with them to these excesses of wickednesse, run upon the bosses of the Almightie his backler; but rather did choise to suffer any thing, that they might be found upright and innocent from these great transgressions, and so escape that w…th of the living God, wh…rewith all the contrivers, all the pressers of these bonds of iniquitie, all the persecuters for not complying with that decreed wickednesse, all the pleaders for it, all the pal…iaters of this impietie, all the Instruments made use of to help foreward the affliction of his poor people, for their refusal, all the rejoycers at his peoples calamitie, and connivers at these courses; yea, and all who according to their place, station, and as they are called, do not faithfully witnesse against this course of iniquitie, shall be certainly pursued, if repentance prevent it not, overtaken, and so perish eternally: there is no Law-borrowes against the written vengeance, for the pe…sons of these practices.

But, that which I would more particularly point at, to forti…ie your hearts against the feare of what you may be put to suffer, even though it should come to the laying down of your lives, is, the refreshful and reviving remembrance of his great goodnesse to them, who went before you: you need not, in order to your establishment, run so far backward as to the records and experiences of former generations; but I may say, as you have heard, so have you seen, in the Ci…ie of our God: Call to remembrance what you have been witnesses to, what not a few of you have seen with joy, and all of you have heard with gladnesse; yea, your enemies have beheld it with confusion of …ace, shame, griefe, and astonishment: to wit, that singular heart solacing and shining presence of God, under which these your martyred Brethren were, at their death. It was evident, he did not so much leave them, into the hands of them who hated them, to take away their lives; as, because he was so well pleased with their zealous fervour, their fidelitie and fixednesse in his way, (which made them, in Testimony of their love to him, not to love their lives unto the death) he therefore brought them forth, to Crown them, in the sight of these who killed them, and in that Crucified their Master againe; while they with a keen crueltie killed, he crowned with loving kindnesse, and kissed their souls out of them; kepped them, as they fell; carried them off the scaffold in embraces, to present them to his Father and set the Martyrs Crown upon their head. I …eed no… insist in a matter so manifest, as it is beyond the hidings or denyings of those, who put them to death, and hath also caused so many thanksgiving unto God amongst the Saints; so that I may aske you, what do you feare? Do you feare fruition? Do you feare that they who cast you in the fiery furnace, shall see the Son of God walking with you in the midst of the flames? Do you feare, to be seen made more then Conquerours through him who hath loved you? Do you feare, that when the incensed world hath yoked a fiery Chariot for you, to cary out of the world, that the world, who hate you and hurry you thus off the stage, shall see the King come, and pave the bottome thereof for you with love? Do you feare, that while they stretch out their hand against you, to take away your life, he manifest his love, in putting his left hand under your head, and in embracing you with his right? do you feare, that while your blood is shed, he give convincing significations to all that look on, p. 35of his she ding abroad his love in your heart, and that your blood is precious in his sight? Are these things to be feared, which have been the ambition of many righteous men; yea, and a piece of so great honour, as they durst scarce even themselves to a sharing in it? Or, hath he deserted one of all the sufferers? see, if you can say it: why then are you daunted with danger? why do you doubt, but he who hath glorified his name in others, will glorifie it again, in you? Nay, did he not most signally defeat the expectation of adv…rsaries, and out-do the hope of his poor servants, by the remarkablenesse of his assistances, given to some, who were looked upon as such weake wriglings, as they could no… stand it out? but how by standing by them, and strengthning them, did he still the enemy and avenger? and how did he, by the marvellous supporting of his Grace, perfect praise out of the mouth of such babes and sucklings? I may appeale to the conscience of any present at these executions, who savoure the things of God, and saw, under what a shining presence, and with what joy u…speakeable and full of glory, these dying men went out of the world, and these murthered martyrs mounted their triumphant charriot, if they would not, at that time, upon assu…ance to be carried off the stage, under the same sun-shine and sweetnesse, have left all they had in this world, and gone with gladenesse in their company, in to the other world? If any one of all that now glorified company, had been deserted, you might be discouraged, and shrink away, and say, what is our strength that we should hope? But, since everlasting armes underneath have been so visibly seen supporting every one, whom he called to suffer, it saith nothing, if it say not this, …eare none of those things which you shall suffer: For my grace shall be sufficient for y…u: And my strength shall be made perfect in your weakenesse. Therefore, be not affraid, but approach your duetie with humble confidence and courage, even when death it self is in the way and you shall …inde it with you, as it was with the Priests, be…ore whom Jordan recoiled not, till their feet were within the brink. Waite for your assistances, and supports in the hour of confl…ct, and in that very hour… it shall be given you: and you put in case to say, when we are weake, …hen are we strong.

And, to compleat this account, and make it appeare, that the most daring and desperat enemy cannot ease his own soul, by giving one instance to the contrair: I can not here passe the death of Mr Mi…chel: which the Lord hath so excellently ordered, both as to time and circumstances; for, whereas they, who put him to death, did hope, to give thereby a da…h to the people o… God, at this time, and by their severitie exercised upon him, to make them shrink, into a fearefull compliance, with their iniquous Contrivances; but, the supporting presence of God with him was such, as no man needs for feare to forsake the way of the Lord, because of what befell him: I mentione not here the cause, but leave the world to the account himself hath given thereof, with what his Advocats had to plead, on his behalfe: And shall onelyonly, without making a parallel, or instituting a comparison between the two, allude to Samson's death, in this execution: Not, that I m…y take occasion, to tell the world, that he who was aimed at may passe any day in the yeer, for a Lord amongst the uncircumcised Philistims: For, that is no newes; nay the world may judge, I do these Lords wrong, and him too, in not associating him with — But First, Sampson was a rackel and rough-handed saint, ready to pe…t the Philistims, upon all occasions: yet secondly, the Holy Ghost for all the faults that followed him hath recorded his name, and enrolled him, in th… number (even while the names of many other are left out) of these eminent worthies, H…b. 11. And so, he hath made the name of Mr Mitchell savovrie; and as he tooke many Testimonies from him at all his appearances, to the cause; so he owned him in the end, and hono…red him to die, witnessing a good confession, which will be on record to pos…eritie… Thirdly, as Sampson did more mische…fe to the enemies of the people of God, at his death, than in all his life, (for when they sent for him to make themselves mirry with a sight of his misery, the Lord helped him to spil …heir sport) so I judge, it is beyond question, with every sober man, that Mr Mitchells death hath done more hurt to it's contrivers, and furious drivers, than ever his l…fe could have done, even, though he had shot againe, and hit that un hallowed marke: For, now, where p. 36as he hath died desired they who drove it, have, in breathing out their crueltie against him, brought an indelible infamy upon themselves, and ent…iled upon their posteritie a reproach, never to be rolled away! yea, they have missed their marke so far, in hiting him; as, I suppose, the most confident scoffer, amongst all those, who promised them selves matter of mirth, by his death, and some thing, on which they might breake their jest, will be more loath, to heare Mr Mitchels death mentioned, than the death of any of those worthies, that went before him; lest, concerning themselves, it also be remembered, how — And thus, was that prediction fulfilled, with a witnesse, contrary to the mind of him, who, in saying so, did both mock and menace at once, that God did glorifie himself by Mr Mithels death in the grasse market: Yea, glorifie himself he did, and glory to him for having done so. Is not this then Brethren, heart-comforting and hand strengthening that, all who went off the stage, thus died, under these refreshing manifestations, and ravishments of spirit; as their enjoyments would be the measure of mens desires, for their own soul, as they were the measure of the desires of these dying Martyrs, for all the people of God; For, what could they wish more, or seek more, on the behalfe of these; But, O that it were with them, in all things as it is with us, except, as to this scaffold! which yet to us, while under these manifestations, is preferable to all the thrones of the Earth, and the Pharadises and Plea…ures, wherein they live, who put us to death? Nay, so marvellous was the presence of God, with these his dying witnesses, as I doubt nothing; but, some of the enemies, who looked on, and had a hand in sheding that innocent blood, have said with themselves since, O, let me die the death of th…se righteous men, and let my latter end be like theirs! And I much doubt, when death shall look the greatest Desperado amongst them, in the face, and he finds himself, ready to be dragged before the judgement seat of Christ, if the question were asked him, whether he would have his soul now gathered, with the souls of these suffere…s? or, with their souls, who shall be brought in before the Tribunal, with their fingers droping with the blood of those, whom they killed upon such an account, that he would be at any demurre what to choise?

Feare not then to follow, Deare Brethren, since you see, how honourably the charges of all, that have gone before you, have been borne: you have the same good God, the same Christ, the same Spirit, the same cause, the same covenanted strength: have therefore the same confidence and courage: as they did, so doe you carry, as in nothing terrified, by your Adversaries, which, as it was in them; so, it will be in you, an evident token of perdition to your proud and implacable persecuters, But to you of salvation, and that of God.

Suffer me, ere I close, to put one drop more in this cup, to make it cooling (and never-the-lesse cordial for that) Endeavour, Deare Friends, with a Zealous prudence, while you are in this fire of fiery trialls, to prevent or exstinguish the wilde fire of unnecessare and hurtfull animosities amongst your selves, by the flame of fervent and true love to God, and one another: this fire will burne out the other! you see, the enemy thrusts sore at you, that you may fall; therefore, to the end they may misse their marke, and you may stand fast in the Lord, stand close together: I shall not enlarge upon this head, onelyonly, let me put you in mind of that notable place to this purpose, when the Apostle Philip. 1. (after what he had said of himself V. 20. O for a company in case to say the like!) comes to persuade to a carriage, such as becometh the Gospel, he pitched particularly upon this piece of a Gospel-becomeing conversation, and perswads to it: That I may heare (saith he) — that ye stand fast in one Spi…it, with one minde, striving together for the faith of the Gospel, &c.. And knoweing well, how much true unitie did strengthen the saints, while put to this striving, he doth in the following Cap. Viz. c. 2. v. 1, 2, 3. with a mervellously sweet emphaticknesse, inculcat and commend the same thing, with such a warme varietie of heart-melting and affection-moving words and arguments, as are sufficient (or nothing can be) to cement, and souder into a samenesse, the souls and affections of all saints: If there be therefore, saith he; any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any bowels and mercies: fullfill ye my joy: that you be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind: Let nothing be done, through strife, or vain glory; p. 37but in lowlinesse of mind, let each esteem other, better than themselves: Now what can be said after this? Here you have union nobly qualified, and arguments powerfully quickening to pursue after it; O fall a striving therefore, while put to strive against enemies, who shall love God and his precious interests most, and one another best: who shall be most ready to forbeare, and to beare one anothers burdens; that so, in fulfilling this law of Christ, all may the more cheerfully beare the Crosse of Christ: have there been amongst you animosities, contentions, jealousies, whisperings, evil surmiseings, &c. (the more is the pitie…) well, then now is the time, to confirme your love one towards another: Now, set your selves to provoke one another, to love, and to good works: Now see, if you, who have discoursed, and disputed your selves a sunder, can pray your selves together, and so meet in that blessed center: I little doubt, if your heart be heaven-hot, in praying together, in weeping before God together, in wrestleing with him together; but you will walk after the Lord together, in a sweet zealous singlenesse of frame: when your hearts have been warmely poured out together before God, a spiritual harmonie, and famenesse of soul, in working the work of the Lord, will follow upon it: And if my observation do not fail, our contentions never became hot, till we were cooled and much taken off, from praying together: Consider what your enemies are doing, driveing, and designing: Is it not, to make you fall asunder, that you may not be able, when divided amongst your selves, to stand before them? or to withstand them? take that door of them, by shuting the door upon them, at which you see they designe to ente…: and that their accesse may be the more easie, they will flatter some of you, or forbeare some of you, while they fall upon others, that so they may run down, and ruine all and raze foundations at last with ease: Set your selves therefore, with an onenesse of soul and shoulder, to defeat this desperat designe; and in order to the frustrating of the projects of these peruerters of the right wayes of God, let union in the Lord, amongst his servants and people, be studied, and endeavoured: Let us carry in this day, as men of understanding, who know the times, and how the true Israelits of God ought to behave one towards another, while the Adversaries, lye in wait to prey upon our divisions: and is it sutable while they gnash upon us with their teeth, that we should bite and devour one another? or, is it not more Christian and Christ-like, that while we suffer together, we smile one upon onother, and support one another; yea, and if it should come to dying, die embraceing one another? Let therefore all unsuteable and unseasonable striving and unbrotherly and unchristian contending be prevented, or exstinguished, ere they come to a flame: for that is fatal. It is well known, how small a wedge of the same timber, driven by the policy of an enemy, especially when in power, hath made great and grievous breaches, amongst such, who once took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in company: how frequently, in all ages of the Church, have they carrried away many, first to a connivance, then to a compliance (for he who is once cheated into a connivanee, is easily charmed into a compliance) with their designes, and so rendered the opposition of the rest, who stood and withstood, lesse significant. Let us therefore be wise: Let us take notice of the Adversaries stratagems, whose maxime is Devide & impera: And in this they are so cunning, and closs; as sometime they can personat a division amongst themselves, that they may the more certainly effectuat it, amongst us; which, when it comes to passe, it hath ever deplorable and dismal effects: For, there is ever a sad and certain connexion observed, betwixt a dividing time in the Church, and a further departure from the truth, and a hotter persecution of those, who cleave to God and his truth, with purpose of heart, But becaufe I know, the greatest pretenders to what is now pleaded for, and persuaded unto, are really the greatest enemies to that union and concord, intended by the Spirit of God; And, to the end they themselves may be applauded, in their not strivings, as becomes, for the truth; they, of all men, are most ready to represent such as doe, as fire brands and Church renders. And therefore, let none mistake what love to union, amongst all the serious servants of Jesus Christ, in such a day, hath caused me to drop; as if thereby, I did intend to plead for, or perswade unto, an union, with a disadvantage to the precious truth of God, and the true interest p. 38of the Gospel, or did insinuat, in order to peace and union, either an approbation of forbearance of dutie, in its proper season, or of taking such courses, as in regaird of circumstances may be construed, a compliance with the men, who have made themselves, and the Nation, guiltie before God of this high transgression, to wit, of destroying what they once built, and building againe what they destroyed: what? shall we leave any thing undone, or shall we do any thing, under what speciou… pretext soever, that may seem to say, we have said, a confederacy to such, who call us to a confederacy, after God had inst…ucted us with a strong hand, not to say so, since that confederacy will be found a conspiracy against him? should we joine again with the persons of these abominations, and breake his covenant? would he not be angry with us till he had consumed us? The woe upon woe, and w…ath upon wrath which was denounced against Scotland, by a great Seer, and eminently faithful Master-builder amongst us upon the apprehension of a relapse into a compliance with the haters of the Lord and the work of reformation, whereto he preceived a propension, and saw the Nation begun already to be leavened with the dreadful leaven of Apostasie, is so sadly accomplished upon us, that, unlesse we be a people devoted to ruine and utter destruction, we will learne from what is past, to stand aloof… and stop our eares, at the Syren-songs of those, who pipe to us, that we may dance a compliance with them, in their breach of covenant with the most High, and secure them into, a quiet possession of all, which they have taken from our blessed Lord Jesus Christ: for, this is the substance and sense of this now pressed Boud, and these newly required Lawborrowe…s. O if ever there was a day, to be unite in crying, u…ite our hearts to feare that glorious and fearefull name, the Lord our God; If ever there was a day to be unite in watching, in standing fast in the faith, in quiting our selves like men, this is that day! when these God-provoking courses are carried on, and our compliance and concurrence therein required! O… now, when th…re is such a combination against the Christ of God, such an onenesse i… opposeing his Anointed, let us studie an union, in abiding with him, in owning …im, as King, and Supreme! let us continue with him, in these temptations, and contend for him; let us contend with one another (for that confirms true union) to excite to this contention: Let us studie and promove onenesse in walking in the good old way, without turning aside to the right hand or to the left; because of the lion that is in it, a…d without laying other foundations, in whole or in part, than what were laid: Let us not disorder these foundations, nor pick a stone out of that beautiful fabrick, and then put our invention upon the ra…k, to forge a consistency betwixt some cessions to the adversary, old principles, and finde out a way, how to go some length with them, or how not to oppose them, while they with so high a hand overturn the work of God, and yet retain our integritie, and set off this our novel invention to our Brethren, with the embrode…ie, and vermilion of u…ion; and think, there is sufficient ground, to call all dividers, and stigmatize them as such, who will not, with us, g…ude about, to change their way, and lay as much weight upon our notions, and darke, yea benighting Dist…ngoes, as we do. Let us studie an onenesse in promoving the opposed work of God (Alas! under the pretence of being unite amongst our selves, we were charmed, and chained, into a forbearance of many things, in thei… proper season, which may, and ought, to send us mourning to our grave; and keep a clos… union, between sorrow and our soul, till death make a divorce between soul and body) let us studie an on…nesse in endeavouring some thing, …o signifie our sorrow and shame, for the ground which we have lost, and the advantage the Adversary, by our faintings hath go…, to t…mple upon, and triumph ove… our case: An onenesse in seeking of God a right way, by fasting and pra…er; not daring …o listen unto, rush upon, or receive overtours without consulting God, since the concerne is his; and communing with our brethren, not onelyonly equally concerned, but countenanced of God, in their endeavouring to hold fast their integritie, and hold on in the good old way. Let us studiean onenesse, in remembring whence we have fallen, and in admonishing, and being content to be admonished; lest we be hardened, through t…e deceitfulnesse of sin, into a de…en…ce of it. Let us be followers of others, forsaking them in no case, nor under no pretext, in as fare, as they are followers of Christ: p. 39Let these be the men, whose practice we propose as a patern for imitation, whose carriage al alongs, whose constancy in the cause, whose courage in continuing at the work of the Lord, when hazard did attend dutie, spoke them, to hate the way of them who turne aside: And let us not count that the making of a breach, to forsake (for then we count without God, and have no… th… mind of Christ) any, or not to fall in with them, and follow them in that, wherein they forsake the way of God, and cease to be what they were, and begin to be, what once they were not, and to do or leave undone, what they condemned, as de…ection or de…astable neutralitie. It is a great abuse of language (to give it the best name) to put the name, or notion of union, upon that, which, if searched to the bottome, would make it appeare, that in this the uniters are rather dividers from the Lord, than endeavourers to keep the unitie of the spirit, in the bond of peace: It was not against this union nor inconsistent with it, for Paul to withstand Peter to the face, when he saw, that he walked not uprightly, according to the truth of the Gospel, and when his way had carried away others, into a dissimulation: If God have said, if any man draw back, may soul shall have no pleasure in him; Let never our soul enter into their secrets, who would seduce us, in to a relinquishing of the cause, or into a conniveance even at a discovered propension to that, in others: let us studie the import of the place above adduced; to wit, a standing fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together, for the faith of the Gospel; striving and standing up together for those things, in the faith whereof, we professed our selves …ixed, beyond the unfixings of contrary Laws, execute with all crueltie: nay, for the fai…h, which we our selves delivered to the Saints, and for which, we should contend with all flesh; though for that, we should be counted Schismaticks, and men of Contention, with the whole earth. There was an Union amongst the Disciples, when they all forsooke him and fled. O let us beware! and have a care, lest, while we cry up and commend union amongst our selves, that, in keeping one another company, we leave not Christ Jesus, our Lord and master, to walk alone. Unitie amongst brethren is a very desireable thing: (and the Lord will require it, at his hand, who endeavours it not, in his way) but, there is a Iewel, of infinit more value, onenesse with God, and onenesse with and in the truth: and if our pursuings of the one be not minded, in it's just subordination unto… and for the promoving of the other, it loses it's intrinsick value; and becomes a plague; and thus, that which should have been for our welfare, is made our trap: Let union amogst brethren be accounted the ring never to be broken… but let union in the truth, and with God, be coured the Rubie and Diamond: if this be lost, our union loseth it'… name, and changeth it's nature, and passeth with him, for a Conspiracy: and so should it do with us. This ought to be our first care, yea and next care too, how to keep him company, and to continue sted…ast and immoveable, abounding in the work of the Lord; and if herein our fellovv servants desert us, or our brethren be othervvise minded, yet vve must go on, hoping and praying that God vvill reveal the same things to them, and grant them, to be like minded vvith us, according to Chist Jesus, if vve have attained to clearnesse in dutie: and hereby the vvay, I must say, though I hate and abhore rash courses, and I hope vvould no… stand to condemne in my self, as vvell as in others, … runing upon, and rushing into untroden paths; yet God hath made ou… vvay so plaine of old, as the vvay-faring man though a fool, needs not er…e in it: these are no novel…ies or notions; these are no new and darke things, we have to contend for. Is Covenant keeping with God a disputable point! Is it dobtful, whether Christ be absolut in his own house! or falls it under debate, whether he is to be obeyed, rather than men! And tr…ely, of late, the course and carriage of our enemies, so directly opposite to …he wayes of God, hath left no place for doubting about dutie, if we be but delivered from feare of danger. If then, I say, we have attained unto clearnesse in dutie, let us shut our eyes upon all dangers, difficulties & discouragements, arising from the unclearnesse or reluctancy of Brethren, yea of Fathers, and hold on in our way: let us stop our eares, and become deafe to insinuations, however p. 40…oloured, which would foreslow us, in following and serving him. If we must desert, and be deserted of others, for doing so; O then, but the presence of God appearing with, and for them, who in such circumstances appeare for him, as it hath, so it will make up, to the satisfaction of men… souls and senses, the want of other company? Paul's notwithstanding, made all odds even: It was no reproach to Athanasius, that it was said of him, unus Athanasius contra totum mundum; But that which hath perpetuat his renown, and made his name savourie to all the lovers of our Lord Jesus Christ; nor shall it be to any, who walk in the same Spirit, who walk in the same steps.

And to this union of heart amongst your selves, suffer me to append this word: Let there be a communion of all good things amongst you also, for supplying the wants and necessities of your suffering brethren: Ought you in some cases to lay down your lives for the brethren… then I pray such, who shut their eyes that they may not open their hands to minister to their necessities, to think how they shall answer that question, when put to them (for put to every one, and more particularly to all that have a profession of love to Christ in the Nation, it shall be) 1 Ioh. 3:17. it may be some of you have much taken from you, and so think your self exempted. but have you more then what is simply necessare (and in this God will be judge, who will cut off all your superfluities out of reckoning) for the present support of your selves, while others have nothing? then consider the place 2. Cor. 8:1, 2, 3. &c. for I cannot enlarge; nay read that whole Chapter and the next; and the consideration of what the Holy Ghost hath there said, if any of his words have weight with you, must powerfully perswade to this dutie: remember what is said of the believers Acts 2. from ver. 41. &c. and consider what the paritie of the case pleads. But I may not insist (yea, and dare I say, I hope it is needlesse?) onelyonly let me aske you what you would do for Christ himself, if he were so dealt with? Then consider the place Math. 25: v. 35. and see how he reckons, and reckon that he will recken wit… you in tha… day, according to that reckoning, and your carriage in this. I hope, this one place for all… if …ver you look to have a place with him; and suffer me to leave you with a desire to consider that place also Heb. 13. and if you will compare what is said of that great dutie of suffering for Christ v. 13 and of that high dutie of praising God v. 15. and compare what is said of both, with what is said of the dutie now perswaded to v. 16 and you will both know what is to be done, and carry as believing, he is not unrighteous to forget the work and labour of love of such, who minister to the necessitie of those, who for his names sake have been spoiled of all: OnelyOnly perswade your selves, God is taking particular notice of the carriage of every man and woman in Scotland, this day; and accordingl… as he observes, he will repay; he that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly, and he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully.

I shall shut up all, in answering two Questions briefly: First, what now should be our carriage in reference to enemies? Secondly, what may be our hope of a delivery from them?

To the first I say shortly, let us be moved, out of compassion to their precious souls, First, to pray much for them: While they stretch forth their hands against you, studie ye this blessed revenge of good will: Li…t up your heart, with your hands, unto God in the heavens, on their behalfe; that the spirit of repentance may be given them: Do this, and fulfil his law, whose injunction it is, pray for them that despite fully use you, and persecute you: It may be, there are some of the elect, so far left at present… as to run alongst with this course, pray, that these may be reclaimed: and however, it will afford you much sweet peace, to have this Testimony, that, while they in rage and malitious rancour, were pursuing you to heavens gates, you, in love and compassion to their souls, endeavoured to cry to him to catch them… and carry them in with you, to the fruition of himself, and to share with you, in the glory to be revealed: And though, as to them, you shou…d not prevail; yet, besides that your prayer shall be set forth before him as incense, it shall returne into your own bosome.

p. 41Secondly, henceforth stand, aloof, from all listenings to proposals coming from them, or making any to them: For what ever fredom and clearnesse Godly and wise men might formerly or hitherto have had, without scruple in this matter, before they had made such a cleare discovery of their perfect and stated opposition to Christ as King, and of the puritie of their enmitie at, and implacabilitie against all, who desire to be faithful and loyal to Him; yet now, I conceive us called of God, to take this course; as that way, wherein alone we can expect his approbation, and countenance: First, as the most propter mean, to convince them of their wickednesse: This now, seems to be the most proper Testimony, against their way, to stand at such distance from them. Secondly, as the alone expedient, how to preserve our selves free from all compliances with them, and in good termes with Jesus Christ: for, seing it is his presence we now need, it is sure best policy, to beware of sining him out of soul or sight, by touching with that, which is soul hates, and for which his soul will be avenged. Thirdly, this is the way, to preserve unitie amongst the remnant: do we not know, that their dainties are decei…ful meat? do we not know, that their most seemingly tender mercies are really keen crueltie? do they offer us any thing, that looks like a favour but upon designe, that they may more cer…ainly ruine the work of God, by our divisions about it? I shall give but two instances, to evidence what their purposes are, in their treatings with us. The first I had from a great man, now in glory, who had it from the mouth of that Noble Man, who then was active above all others, in bringing the Indulgence first upon the stage (I abstract wholly, from the thing it self, for that is not my businesse now, to say either good or ill of it; I onelyonly intend here to discover, what they designe by their favours) when he said to him, what my Lord intend you by this Indulgence? and, what do you think to gaine by it? if, said that Noble Man, we ga…ne no more, we shall certainly gaine this, It shall separate between the made cape, and the moderat fanaticks (I give it in the very words, wherein I had it) this was plain dealing indeed, and a palpable discoverie of the desperatnesse of the designe: A second Instance is this, when that work of darknesse, our Supr…macy, was brought to light, to the end, we should not, according to the merit of the cause, be allarmed and give the all…rme (which its like from the knowledge of our principles, their conscience indi…ed to be our dutie) some were …et on work, to whisper us into the eare, and mumble us into a mutnesse, that we should not ment, nor whimper, at the sight of this prodigious monster; though, for face and feature, an opposition to Christ as King beyond what ever had appeared upon the stage: But why forsooth must we be silent? O! because favour to the fanaticks is hereby intended… for, what ever appea…ed at brime, there was some special advantage to them, at bottome: The lessening of the Episcopal power which did so lash the fanaticks, and the curbing of their crueltie, was intended: By which means, they we…e sure, that so many, as they could fool into this fa…sie, or please with this nothing, or if any thing, the most wicked of all things, would not onelyonly divide, and be divided from their brethren; But they knew very well also, …hat the more seeing and serious servants of Christ, who adhered to former principles, would count themselves called of God, to look upon such, what ever names they assume to themselves, as manifest deser…ers of the cause of the Church of Scotland, and betrayers of it. And for my own part, how much so ever I am for union; yet, I scruple not to let the world know, that be who he will… that hath beaten his brains, to shape a beautiful maske, for hi…ing the hell blakenesse of thi… monsters face, which s…ould be the abhorrence of all that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sinceritie… and hath strained his wit, to put a sufferab…e sense, upon a …upremacy, whereby our Lord is put again to suffer: I say, I scruple not, to let the world know, that this is the Echo of my soul, as to him, or them; O let never my soul enter into the secrets of that man! & lett him (who while he thus seeks to …ile the eyes of others bewrayeth this secret, he is no Seer: nay that some finger is put into his eye, I …hall not say, whose it is) ne…e… be the man of my councel nay, let all the …ervants, and all …he people of God, stand aloof f…om him, and his whispe…ings, because, in stead of being in case to give wholsome advise, as one who stands in his masters Cou…cel, p. 42he will, by his palliatings and perverse mutterings, seduce, pervert, and ensnare: his breath will be contagious, since his speech must bewray him, to have the bot…h of the Court-Creed running upon him. Hence Fourthly, I must professe (and I desire to say it as in the presence of God, and as writing that which I must carry-in, in my hand, before the Tribunal of Christ: what ever prejudice should be taken up, against the speaker, or the thing spoken) that it pass…th the ken of my poor shallow capacitie, after all the discoveries, the enemies have made of the desperatnesse of their designe, how, by all possible means, and malicious methods, to ruine the work of God, and after the Mediators Crown is so formally set upon the head of another, and all that is now done… and driven, in destroying the remnant, is in order to the establishment of that invasion of his Crown, and Scepter, what addresse is possible to be made to him, …ho is thus set down, in the Mediators Chair of State, and weares his Crown in our sight, without sin: except it be, to tell, we can make none: or to beseech to forbeare to persecute the Mediators Ambassadours, who must continue to preach the Gospel, by vertue of their Commission: Yea, who dare not think o… appearing before Christ, with…ut having given such a Testi…ony of their resentment of the us…rpation of th…ir Masters …hro…e, and Scepter: and who dare ne…er prese…t themselves to God, without doing the equivalent of spreading that Supremacy before him; and praying, that he would take unto him his …reat power and reigne… and possesse himself again of his own …h…one, and, disposse…sing these who have usurped it, shew his zeal for his Prerogative Royal: And… how such a declaration before men, and such dealing with Go…, can consist with addresses t… …em, in Church matters, who have taken to themselves his house in possession and yet be fr… from all compliance with, countenancing of, and conniveance a…, that great wicke…ness…, I see not: And I hope never to see with his eyes, who saith… he sees it. They have now stated the qu…rrel clearly for us: And, as ever we would have Christ to stand be us, and stand up to pl…ad this own cause, when we are not able to withstand the power of th… enemy, let …s stand by him, and stand aloof from them. As we have neither hoof nor h… to part with, in this matter; so we have nothing to seek from any, that si…s in our Masters chair of state. God forbid, that ever we should be seen to bow or beg before t…em, while they sit there! how ever, when we are passive, we may make use of what libertie is given; yet, it is our safetie, it is our peace, it is the interest of the Gospel, and for the glory of our exalted Prince, to abstaine from seekings, an… receivings from those, who stand in such termes of opposition to him. As to the second question: What hopes we may entertain of a Delivery, from our persecuters? First, I say, there is nothing in my judgement, which can deliver me, or any who considers the nature of our National revolt, in all its God-provoking circumstances, and how deeply every one is guiltie, from him, who sitteth upon the throne, to him who grindeth behinde the mill: and how this sin is now become the sin of the Nation; whereby the whole is made a curse, without meditating terrour, at t…e apprehensions of the …yrcenes…e of the wra…h of God Almightie, against Brittan: Lesse th…n such a signification of his displeasure, that we are the people, against whom the Lord will have indignation …or ever: lesse than utter ruine and the perishing of the name of that Nation, that Generation, and People, from under the heavens of the Lord, who have so contemned his Covenant, and …aken his name in vain, is lesse, sure, than what our iniquitie gives ground to …are, is but hovering over us and ready to fall upon us; It is true, not a few (and blessed be …e for that!… have found mercy, not to go alongs, with all these courses; But yet, let me say even to these, it becomes us to be very sober, in our expe…tations, and submissive; passeing the example of Ephesus, &c. let us perswade our own souls into this submission, and sobrietie, from the example of God's holy procedor wi…h Moses Deut. 3.23, 24.25, 26 oh, if but for an unadvised word! If but for a little smoak about the fire of his holy and fervent zeal for God, he, who next to the Mediator, w… as reckoned faithful, in all the house, and mat…ers of God, was keept out of Canaan? p. 43May not that holy peremptorinesse, in the just and jealous God, whereby he refused to be importuned by such a servant, make us, in remembrance of what we have unworthily done, and left undone, very sober, in our expectations, and silent, though he should cause us fall i… the wilde…nesse, and make our death prevent the dawning of that blessed, and desirable day? O th…t we could, in the mean time, learne at th…t holy man, to be solicititous, how to transmit pure ordinances, to the posteritie, as we se… he was; that if we must go off the stage, yet we may live and die, witnessing, how desirous we are, that God may be great amongst the posteritie, wh…n we are gone: And, that an example of witnessing for our wronged Lord and M…st…r, may be transmited to those who sh…ll succeed; withal warning them, that they doe no… follow our example, wherein we have not contented valiant…y, for Christ, and the interest of his Crown.

Secondly, I cannot forbeare to say, that, if in the soveraignitie of his Grace, he should go out of the common roade of his ordinary providence, and make the delivery come in ou… dayes; Yet, I am sure, (at least I may say it, as to my self) a sober reflexion upon what we have been and done, may make us feare, that we shall have no other interests in it, but to be Spectators: And that if …e make use of instruments, it shall be of such, (how few soever, how base and fecklesse soever, before men, how weake and witlesse soever) as are free of what my self, and many are guiltie of; And with whom there hath been a fire of zeal for God, witnessed by their faithful forwardnesse, while, with my self and others, there was scarce the smoaking of a flaxe: Though yet he may graciously condescend, even to make our hair grow againe, & so make use of o…r h…nds abo…t his work, and put us in case, to shake ourselves, as his Servants have done at other times.

Yet Thirdly, to the end, the poor People of the Lord may not be frighted, nor fainted into a despondency; let me adde this: That deliverance to the people of God, in his own time, way, and manner, (which I leave vvholly to Himself) and that a great and glorious one, shall come: And this is no lesse cer…ain, than that I…ho…ah cannot fail to establish the Throne of his Anointed: Nay, if all the Kings of …he Earth should agree amongst themselves, to set up one Monarch, & invest him, with the power of our Supremacy; yet all the povver they could make, managed vvith all the Policy in hell, or out of …ell, sh…uld not be able, to setle that Crovvn upon the Head of that Mortal; But, t…e Immor…al God should, with the omnipotent Power of his right arme, shake that Usurper out of his seat, and setle the Throne of his Anointed upon the ruine of his Adversaries. Hath he said it? hath he sworne it? and sh…ll not the Zeal of Iehovah performe it? Hath Christ bought his Crown a…d Scepter, with his Blood? and hath he such a tittle and right to it? And hath he all power in Heaven and in Earth, for securing himself in the possession of his purchase? And shall any mortal o…ter to mount his Throne? Shall any mortal offer to stripe him of this Glory, pull the Crown from his Head, and cloth him…elf with the spoils of the Mediator's honour, and be able to keep himself, in possession of what he hath taken from the Son of God? O vain attempt? Let them answer these Questions, put unto them Psal. 2: vers. 1, 2. and read …he…r doom, V…r…. 4, 5. O! the Mediator's Iron rod, put in his hand for securing to him his royal Scepter, shall make the potsheads of the Earth, by dashing them in pieces, know, wha… it is …o strive with h…m for state? And here, let me adde these things shortly; Fi…st, A… in the way he shall take to a…compl…sh our delivery, his holy and hot Indignation again…t breach of Covenant with God shall be witnessed to the conviction even of suc… who dec…e…d it; (for the breach o… Covena…t with him, shall either breack Britta…'s Heart or Head (so, Secondly, It shall be seen, to have a most convincingly closs connexion with the vengeance… wherewith our Sup…m…cy shall be pursued The Mediators Ze…l against this idol of ind…nation shall be written on the revenges, he will take for it: And in the day, when he rai…eth up a pa…tie, to state the quarrel upon this Head, how despicable, and contemptible so ever they may appeare; th…n it shall appeare, he is about rescinding of our Supremacy (for rescinded it shall be, and if they will not, he will Nay, p. 44because they will not, he shall: For his Crown must flowrish on his own Head, and all his Enemies must be clothed with shame) & setting that Crown with pure gold, upon his Head, from whose Head it is taken, by our Law. And Thirdly, Let me adde this (and so I have done) that, as their rage and violence, in this late invasion made upon you, in pursueance of the designe of a full and final setlement of themselves, in the possession of what they have taken from Jesus Christ, by the ruine and overthrow of all, whose way speakes the least of resistance, even to a non-compliance… hath been an high transport of rage, whereby they have been carried, beyond all the Boundaries of Law and Reason: So I have as little doubt, but God shall make the connexion, betwixt his arising to deliver his People, & their having risen up thus, to delete and destroy them at once, so closs, and so cleare, (how long so ever he delay it) as it shall be no matter of dif…icultie, for any, who wisely considers these things, to observe what dependance upon, & connexion with, the deliverance of the People of the Lord, hath, as to it's visible rise, with this their horrid and inhumane violence. He is the Lord, wh… will hasten these things in his time.

Do not therefore, beloved Sufferers for Christ, suffer your hearts, to sink into a despondency: The cause is His, and he will plead, yea thorowly plead that cause, which is his own: And this shall be your Crown and Comfort to continue contending for him (for so the cause, that is so purely his, becomes the cause of your Soul) and if you should fall in this conflict, and die suffering; Besides, that you fall in the bed of honour, & fall asleep, in the blessed expectation of the conquerours Crown, this your cause will out live all it's Enemies, and have a glorious Resurrection; and your wrestlings, and witnessings, and sufferings, as they will be rewarded in Heaven; so they shall be recorded on Earth: Therefore, lift up the hands that hang dovvn, and strengthen the freeble knees: The s…me, yea greater, afflictions have been accomplished, in your Brethren, which have been in the World; and as the God of all Grace, after they had suffered a vvhile, made them perfect, and put them in possession of that eternal Glory, to vvhichwhich they vvere called by Jesus Christ… so shall he stablish, strengthen, settle and keep you …rom falling, and after all your sorrovves and sufferings, present you faultlesse, before the presence of his Glory, vvith exceeding joy: Pray for

Your poor Welwisher and Companion in Tribulation.

End of the text · Robert McWard, The Poor Mans Cup of Cold Water (1678)