The Best Interest, Chapter 2

The Best Interest · Chapter 2

p. 110CHAP. II. Of the Grounds of Conſolation under natural troubles and deſolations.

IF Intereſt in Chriſt be a ground of Conſolation under all the troubles of this Life, then let us ſeek comfort in Chriſt and from Chriſt, under national troubles; when ruin and deſolation is coming upon the Nations, either by Forreign Invaſion, or by Tumults, Inſurrections, or Maſſacres at home, when dreadful judgments as the Sword, Peſtilence, or Famine are upon us, in the worſt times imaginable, there is comfort to be had in Chriſt, as you may ſee from ſuch Scriptures as theſe. Mich. 5.5. And this man ſhall be the peace, when the Aſſyrian ſhall come into the Land. The man ſpoken of here, is the man Chriſt Jeſus, who being the Son of God, became man for our ſakes. That the Prophet is here treating of Chriſt, who was to be born at Bethlehem, is evident from ver. 2. And becauſe what is ſaid of this man, that he ſhall be the peace, is applyed to Chriſt. Eph. 2.14. For he is our peace. Now it is ſaid of our Lord Jeſus, that he ſhall be the peace, when a Forreign Enemy ſhould invade the Land, namely, when the Aſſyrian ſhould come into p. 111the land. And what manner of People were theſe Aſſyrians. The Aſſyrians were Idolaters. 2 Chron. 28.23. And Idolaters are bitter enemies to the Worſhippers of the true God. They were great enemies to Iſrael, and came with open mouth to devour the Iſraelites. Iſa. 9.12. The Aſſyrians were the rod of Gods anger, and the ſtaff of his indignation, who was ſent by God to tread down a ſinful people, like mire in the ſtreets. Iſa. 10.5, 6. Yet Chriſt was the peace of his people in ſuch a diſmal and bloody day, when the Aſſyrian was ſent into the land, to tread down all ranks and degrees of men, like mire in the ſtreets.

Another Scripture that ſhews us there is comfort to be had in Chriſt in times of greateſt confuſion, when all places and perſons are in an uproar, and all things are turned upſide down, and there is no peace to be had either at ſea or land. We have Pſal. 46.4. There is a River, the Streams whereof make glad the City of God. For opening this Scripture, let us conſider. This River may ſignifie the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; For it is ſaid of him, Iſa. 32.2. He ſhall be as Rivers of water in a dry place. Is is frequent with the Scriptures to ſet out Chriſt by a Fountain, and Rivers of Waters. As Iſa. 33.21. The glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad Rivers. Zach. 13.1. In that day there ſhall be a Fountain opened▪ Jer. 2.14. They have forſaken me, the Fountain p. 112of Living VVaters. All the gladneſs of the City of God comes from this River, namely, from Chriſt the conſolation of Iſrael. The ſtreams that iſſue from this River are the benefits that we have from Chriſt, as pardon of ſin, reconciliation with God, hope of eternal life, and the like, and all thoſe good things which God for Chriſts ſake giveth to us, and doth for us. The fruits and benefits which we have by the death and interceſſion of Chriſt, are a great refreſhing to the people of God in their greateſt troubles. When the Spouſe of Chriſt was under the ſcorching heat of perſecution, She found great delight and ſweetneſs in meditating on thoſe benefits ſhe had by Chriſt. Cant. 2.3. I ſate down under his ſhadow with great delight, and his fruit was ſweet unto my taſt. The benefits we have by Chriſt, comprehends all thoſe great things which the Lord hath been wont to do for his People in all ages, which puts great gladneſs into their hearts. Pſal. 126.3. The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad. [The City of God] which is made glad by the ſtreams of this River, are the people of God in all ages, and all places of the world. Now let us ſee [what diſmal times] are pointed at, what great calamities are mentioned in this Pſalm, under all which the City of God is made glad, by the ſtreams that iſſue from this River.

1. He ſuppoſeth ſuch times wherein the earth ſhould be removed, and carried into the p. 113midſt of the Sea, ver. 2. which ſignifieth the utter and irrecoverable deſtruction of mighty Kingdoms, for its uſual with the Scripture to ſet out States and Kingdoms by Mountains, and the deſtruction and deſolation of Kingdoms, by removing the earth, and removing the mountains. Iſa. 24.1, 3, 19, 20. Jer. 51.25. The removing theſe mountains into the midſt of the Sea, may ſignifie their perpetual and irrecoverable deſtruction.

2. The Pſalmiſt ſpeaks of the roaring of the waters, and their being troubled, and the mountains ſhaking with the ſwelling thereof, and this may ſignifie great tumults and uproars among the people, ſuch as may make the ſtouteſt hearted perſons to tremble. Pſal. 74.4. Thine enemies roar in the midſt of thy Congregation. The Scripture ſetteth forth multitudes of people by waters. As Rev. 17.15. And the roaring of theſe waters make the mountains ſhake, that is, make the ſtouteſt and moſt couragious men to fear and tremble. Pſal. 18.4. The floods of ungodly men made me afraid. When ungodly men that have no fear of God before their eyes, were in an uproar, were gathered together, and bore down all before them like a flood, it made even David himſelf to be afraid.

3. By the removing the earth and roaring of the waters are meant all places, being full of trouble, wars at Sea and Land, the whole world full of ſtirs and commotions, yet we will not fear.

p. 1144. What the Pſalmiſt expreſſed Metaphorically ver. 2.3. he expreſſeth more plainly ver. 6. The Heathen raged, the Kingdoms were moved, he uttered his voice, the earth melted. That is, there ſhould be ſuch dreadfull judgments called for by God, ſuch ragings of the Heathen, ſuch commotions of the Kingdoms, as ſhould make mens hearts to melt with grief and fear. For the heart is melted with grief. Pſal. 119.28. My Soul melteth for heavineſs. Luk. 21.26. Mens hearts failing them for fear.

5. He ſpeaketh of dreadfull deſolations to be made in the earth by the Lord, ſuch as might make men ſtand ſtill and behold them. ver. 8. Come behold the works of the Lord, what deſolations he hath made in the earth Yet under all theſe deſolations, when the Heathen rage, and the Kingdoms are moved, when there are ſuch troubles as make mens hearts to melt within them, when the earth is removed, and the mountains are carried into the Sea, when the waters roar and are troubled, when the mountains ſhake with the ſwelling thereof, There is a River, the ſtreams whereof make glad the City of God. There is comfort in Chriſt under the greateſt ruins and deſolations that come upon Kingdoms and Nations, yea upon the whole world. And here we may take notice of ſome of theſe ſtreams of this River, ſome of theſe benefits we have by Chriſt, which are matters of joy in our greateſt calamities, p. 115which are hinted in this Pſalm.

1. The Lords people ſhall through Chriſt and for Chriſts ſake have the Lords preſence with them in all the commotions and deſolations that come upon the world, and this makes glad the City of God, and ſettles the faith and hope of the people of God, ver. 5. God is in the midſt of her, ſhe ſhall not be moved, ver. 7. The Lord of hoſts is with us. This is three times mentioned, that the Lord is with his people, as being a prime antidote to expell their fears, and comfort their hearts, Iſ. 41.10. Fear not I am with thee, yea under diſmal calamities, when the Lord is pouring out his fury, and is pleading againſt us with fire and ſword, and is leading his people through the depths of trouble and fiery tryals, this is a ſingular comfort, to have God with us, Iſa. 42.24, 25. compared with 43.1, 2.

2. Another of thoſe ſtreams which make glad the City of God under calamitous times, is that they have a refuge to flee to, and that this refuge is God himſelf, and that this God who is their refuge is the God of Jacob. This is alſo three times hinted in this Pſalm, ver. 1, 7, 11. God is our refuge,—The God of Jacob is our refuge, The God of Jacob is our refuge. It is comfortable to have a refuge to flee to in a ſtorm, a refuge to flee to where we may be ſafe. But moſt comfortable to have God himſelf, the great God, the eternal God, the Al-mighty, Al-ſufficient God, the faithfull p. 116God, the infinitely near and gracious, and loving God, for our refuge. And it is an addition to our comfort, that this God who is our refuge, hath ſtiled himſelf the God of Jacob. For that implyeth,

(1.) That he that was Jacobs refuge when he was in great diſtreſs, and afraid of his brother Eſau, who hated Jacob, and had taken up a reſolution to kill him, Gen. 27.41. And to come againſt Jacob with four hundred men, which made Jacob afraid that he intended to kill him and his wives and children, Gen. 32.6, 7, 11. yet God was Jacobs refuge in this great ſtrait, and ſo over-ruled Eſau's heart, that he did Jacob no harm.

(2.) That God is and will be a refuge to poor weak and ſhiftleſs creatures, ſuch as are but worms in their own and others account, deſpicable perſons, he will help and take care of them in the time of trouble, Iſa. 41.13, 14. I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, ſaying unto thee fear not, I will help thee. Fear not thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Iſrael, I will help thee, ſaith the Lord and thy redeemer the holy one of Iſrael.

(3.) That is, and will be a refuge to ſuch as are in a deſerted condition, and are ready to ſay, they are forſaken of God, for ſome of the ſeed of Jacob are ready to ſay their way is hid from the Lord, yet the Lord is their God and their refuge, Iſa. 40.27. Why ſayeſt thou, O Jacob, and ſpeakeſt. O Iſrael, My way is p. 117hid from the Lord, and my judgement is paſſed over from my God, Compar'd with Iſa. 41.8, 10. But thou Iſrael art my ſervant, and Jacob, whom I have choſen,—Fear thou not, for I am with thee, Be thou not diſmayed for I am thy God, I will ſtrengthen thee, I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteouſneſs.

3. Another ſtream iſſuing from this river, which maketh glad the City of God, mentioned in this Pſalm, is, that God will be his people's ſtrength in troublous times, and a preſent help both in trouble and out of trouble, v. 1, 5. God is our ſtrength, a very preſent help in trouble — God ſhall help her and that right early. Now this is a great comfort to have God for our ſtrength, and help in all our troubles, Pſal. 21.1. The king ſhall cry in thy ſtrength, O Lord, Pſal. 28.7. The Lord is my ſtrength and my ſhield, my heart truſted in him and I am helped, therefore my heart greatly rejoyceth, and with my ſong will I praiſe him. I will inſtance in ſome grounds of conſolation, under natural troubles, as invaſion of Forreign Enemies, Maſſacres, Peſtilence, or other deſolating judgements.

1. It is a great ground of comfort to all the members of Chriſt under national calamities, that there is nothing done in the world, or to any Kingdom, or any City, or any particular perſon but by the Providence, of God. I ſhall p. 118Prove this, that all things that are done in the world, come to paſs by the providence of God, and then ſhew how this is a ground of comfort in all Publick calamities, as well as private and perſonal afflictions. That there is nothing done in the world, in any Kingdom, in any City, to any perticular perſon, but by the providence of God, is evident from ſuch Scriptures as theſe. Rom. 11.36. For of him, and through him, and to him are all things, to whom be glory for ever. Iſa. 45.7. I form the light, and create darkneſs, I make peace, and create evil, I the Lord do all theſe things— Am. 3.6. Shall there be evil in a City, and the Lord hath not done it? Whatſoever evil comes upon a City, or any perſon in the City, whether Sword, or Peſtilence, or Famine, or Fire, or any other evil it is the Lord that ſends all thoſe evils. When any deſtroyers come againſt a Nation, that lay it waſt, and make it deſolate, it is the Lord that raiſeth up thoſe waſters to deſtroy, and furniſheth them with all their ſlaughter weapons, and their inſtruments to carry on the deſigned deſtruction. Iſa 54.16. Behold I have created the Smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth all inſtruments for his work, and I have created the waſter to deſtroy. Such calamities as ſeem to be carried on in a confuſed diſorderly way, are governed and over-ruled by the providence of God, ſo that there is no damage done to any mans perſon or eſtate, but by the appointment p. 119of God. Nahum 1.3. The Lord hath his way in the ſtorm, and in the whirlwind. That is, the Lord orders all things that are done by the ſtorm, and by the whirlwind, and by all other judgments that come as ſuddenly as violently, as confuſedly as the ſtorm or the whirlwind— When the Sword or Peſtilence come upon any place, the Lord numbers all the perſons that ſhall be ſlain by the Sword, and that ſhall dye by the Peſtilence. Iſa. 65.12. Therefore will I number you to the Sword, and ye ſhall all bow down to the ſlaughter. Jer. 15.2. VVhen any man ſuffers by Fire, Hail, Snow, or ſtormy VVinds, he ſuffers nothing but what God hath appointed him to ſuffer, for the Fire, Snow, Hail, ſtormy Winds, and all other creatures fulfill Gods word, they do nothing to any man but what God hath appointed them to do, Pſal. 148.8. Fire and Hail, Snow and Vapour, ſtor my wind fulfilling his word. Mich. 6.7. Hear the rod, and who hath appointed it. Every rod hath its whole work appointed by God. The Sea ſeems to be a very unruly creature, eſpecially when ſtormy winds cauſeth it to rage, yet the Lord ruleth the raging of the Sea, and ſuffers it to do nothing in its greateſt rage, but what he pleaſeth. Pſal. 89.9. Thou ruleſt the raging of the Sea, when the Waves thereof ariſe, thou ſtilleſt them. And he that ruleth the raging of the Sea, ruleth and ſtilleth the tumults of the moſt unruly people. Pſal. 65.7. Yea, he ruleth p. 120over all perſons and all actions that are done in any part of the world. Pſal. 103.19. The Lords Throne is in the Heavens, and his Kingdom ruleth over all.

Now this is a ground of comfort to the People of God, in Tumults, and Inſurrections, and Maſſacres, and all other National judgments, that there is nothing comes to paſs, nothing befalls any Kingdom, City, or particular Perſon, but by the providence of God. Pſal. 97.1, 2, 3. The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoyce— Clouds and Darkneſs are round about him, Righteouſneſ and Judgment are the habitation of his Throne. A fire goeth before him, and burneth his enemies round about. His Lightnings enlightned the world, the earth ſaw it and trembled. The Hills melted like Wax. When we are under cloudy and dark diſpenſations, when we meet with fiery tryals, and God is burning up his enemies round about, when he ſendeth ſuch judgments as make the inhabitants of the earth to tremble, and the hills to melt like wax, that is, men of the higheſt degree, Kings and Princes, their hearts faint through fear and grief, yet then we may rejoyce, when we conſider 'tis the Lord reigneth, and that all things are done by his Providence. The Providence of God which ruleth and diſpoſeth all things that are done in the world, is a ground of comfort to the people of God, in publick calamities, on ſeveral accounts. As

p. 1211. That God who ruleth and diſpoſeth of all things by his providence is our God, and our Father in Chriſt. Pſal. 146.10. The Lord ſhall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations, praiſe ye the Lord. This is matter of praiſe and joy to Zion, not only that God reigneth, but that he which doth and ſhall reign for ever is Zions God. Thy God O Zion Reigneth unto all generations; praiſe ye the Lord. The conſideration of our Fathers hand in ordering all our afflictions may ſweeten the bittereſt cup which he at any time puts into our hands. Joh. 18.11. The cup which my Father hath given me ſhall I not drink it?

2. Whatſoever the Lord doth is done in Righteouſneſs, when he breaks in pieces Kingdoms and Nations, this is matter of comfort, God will do nothing to any place or people, but what is conſiſtent with Righteouſneſs. Pſ. 48.10, 11. Thy right hand is full of Righteouſneſs, let Mount Zion rejoyce, let the daughters of Judah be glad, becauſe of thy judgments.

3. The Lord who ruleth the world by his providence is a mercifull and gracious God, that will compaſs his own people with mercy, at ſuch a time as he is diſtributing ſorrows in great abundance to wicked men. Pſal. 32.10. Many ſorrows ſhall be to the wicked, but he that truſteth in the Lord, mercy ſhall compaſs him about. Even when he lets his own people fall into the hands of cruel enemies, p. 122ſuch as hate them, he is mindfull of his mercy towards them. Pſal. 106.42, 43, 45.

4. This God who ruleth and governeth the world, and diſpoſeth all things that are done therein by his providence, is a God in Covenant with us, that he will never turn away from doing us good. Jer. 32.40. And I will make an everlaſting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them to do them good—This was ſpoken to the Jews, when they were under very dark providences, the King of Babylons Army had Beſieged Jeruſalem, and God told them by his Prophet that he would give Jeruſalem into the King of Babylons hands. ver. 2, 3. And beſides the Sword of the enemy, the City was viſited with the Famine and Peſtilence. ver. 24. Yet under theſe ſad providences God comforts his people with his Everlaſting Covenant, wherein he aſſures them that though they were ſurrounded with all theſe evils, the Sword, the Famine, and the Peſtilence, yet he would not turn away from doing them good. Whatever aſpect ſome of Gods providences may have upon the world, and the Sinners in Zion, yet they are all mercy and truth to the people of God, even when they have the greateſt appearance of ſeverity. Pſal. 25.10. All the paths of the Lord are Mercy and Truth to ſuch as keep his Covenant, and his Testimonies.

5. The Lord hath wiſe and holy ends in the changes and deſolations that he makes in the p. 123earth; And the conſideration of the Holineſs and Wiſdom of God in all his works, may be a ſtay to our minds, when he over-turns Kingdoms and Nations. Pſal. 30.4. Sing unto the Lord, O ye Saints of his, give thanks at the remembrance of his Holineſs. Dan. 2.20.21. Bleſſed be the name of God for ever and for ever, for wiſdom and might are his, and he changeth the times and the ſeaſons, he removeth Kings, and he ſetteth up Kings.

2. That ſpecial care which the Lord taketh of all his people at all times is a ground of great comfort in times of danger and Publick calamities. The Lord taketh a ſpecial care of all his people at all times, and this may quiet their minds and free them from perplexing fears and cares, in times of greateſt danger and diſtreſs, 1 Pet 5.7. Caſting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. The perſons to whom this Epiſtle was written were in great diſtreſs, they were ſcattered abroad into ſeveral Countries, Chap. 1.2. To the ſtrangers ſcattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Aſia, Bythinia. They were in heavineſs through the manifold temptations, they met with in their perſecuted ſcattered condition, ver. 6. They were under great and ſore afflictions, not onelyonly the hand, but the mighty hand of God was upon them, Ch. 5.6. yet in this ſcattered condition, when they were in heavineſs through manifold temptations when they were under the mighty hand of God, the Apoſtle p. 124comforts them with this, that they had a God that took care of them, and therefore they needed not to perplex and diſquiet their minds with any kind of cares, but may caſt them all upon God. Caſting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. That we may be the more comforted in time of danger, by the care that the Lord taketh of us, let us conſider what manner of care it is wherewith the Lord careth for us.

1. It is a ſpecial care which the Lord taketh of his people. There is a common care which he taketh of all his creatures. He feedeth the fowls of the Air, he clotheth the graſs of the field, he ſatisfieth the deſire of every living thing, he preſerveth man and beaſt. But the care, which God taketh of the children of men, is far greater than what he takes of the beaſts of the birds, or any other creatures in this world. The care that God hath of the ſons of men ſo far exceeds his care of other creatures; that it ſeems as no care compared with that care which he takes for mankind, 1 Cor. 9.9, 10. Thou ſhalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or ſaith he it altogether for our ſakes? for our ſakes no doubt this is written. And as God takes care of men above all other creatures, ſo he takes a more ſpecial care of his own people than he doth of all other men. They are to him as the apple of his eye, Zech. 2.8. Het hat toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his p. 125eye. They are his jewels, Mal. 3.17. They ſhall be mine ſaith the Lord of hoſts, in that day when I make up my jewels, and I will ſpare them as a man spareth his own ſon that ſerveth him. They are his peculiar treaſure, Exod. 19.5. Ye ſhall be unto me a peculiar treaſure above all people, for all the earth is mine. They are his portion, Deut. 32.9. The Lords portion is his people. How careful are men of their portion, their peculiar treaſure, their jewels, the apple of their eye; ſo, and much more careful is the Lord of his people. They are his children, Gal. 3.26. And in times of danger men are very ſolicitous for their children. The firſt queſtion that David put to both thoſe meſſengers that came with tydings from the battel was, concerning the ſafety of his child. Is the young man Abſalom ſafe, 2 Sam. 18.29, 32.

2. It is a particular care. The Lord doth not onelyonly take care of his people in general, but of every one of them in particular, and of every thing that belongeth to them. When God is deſtroying wicked men, he taketh care for the preſervation of every one of his people, Pſal. 145.20. The Lord preſerveth all them that love him, but all the wicked will he deſtroy. In times of greateſt calamity, when he breaks a kingdom in pieces, and ſcatters the inhabitants thereof into all parts of the world, he will take care of every one of the members of Chriſt, even the leaſt and meaneſt, and moſt ſhiftleſs of all his p. 126ſervants, Amos 9.9. For lo I will command, and I will ſift the houſe of Iſrael among all nations, like as corn is ſifted in a ſive, yet ſhall not the leaſt grain fall to the ground. Say not in thy heart, God hath ſo many to take care of, he may forget me, or I am ſuch a mean creature he will not regard me. For it is all one with God to take care of many as few, and he takes care of the loweſt as well as the higheſt, Pſal. 138.6. Though the Lord be high yet he hath reſpect unto the lowly. There are a great company of Sparrows, and they are birds of but ſmall value, yet not one of the Sparrows is forgotten of God, Luk. 12.6.7. Are not five Sparrows ſold for two farthings? and not one of them is forgotten before God - Fear not therefore, ye are of more value than many Sparrows. In the 4th. verſe Chriſt ſaith to them. Be not afraid of them that kill the body. And gives two arguments to diſſwade them from fearing them, that can only kill the body. Firſt, that is the worſt they can do, after that they have no more that they can do. And the other is, they can't do this but by the permiſſion of God, for he that watcheth over every Sparrow doth much more watch over every man, who is of more value than many Sparrows. There are many devices to take away the lives of the Sparrows, as Nets, Snares, Fowling-pieces, &c. beſides the danger they are in by the greater birds, who pray upon the leſſer ones, yet not one Sparrow is killed, but by the providence p. 127of God. Mat. 10.29. Are not two Sparrows ſold for a farthing, and one of them ſhall not fall on the ground without your father. Though we have many that lye in wait to take away our lives, and the inſtruments of Death are prepared for us, yet not one man, woman or child ſhall fall to the ground, and be cut off from the land of the living, without our Heavenly Fathers appointment. And as the Lord taketh a particular care of every Member of Chriſt, ſo alſo of all the affairs and concernments of all the Members of Chriſt. He ſets the hedge of his providence not only about their perſons, but about all that they have on every ſide. Job. 1.10. Haſt thou not made an hedge about him, and about his houſe, and about all that he hath on every ſide. His care extends even to the leaſt of all their concernments, to the very hairs of their heads. Mat. 10.30. But the very hairs of your head, are all numbred.

3. It is a conſtant and continual care. He takes care of them at all times, both by night and by day, and in all places, when they go out and come in, at home and abroad. Iſa. 27.3. I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment, leaſt any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. This promiſe relates to the Lords Vineyard, mentioned in the foregoing verſe. And by his Vineyard is meant all the members, all that belong to Chriſt, who is the true Vine. Joh. 15.1. I am the vine. Iſa. 5.7. The vineyard p. 128of the Lord of hoſts is the houſe of Iſrael. This vineyard being expoſed to many adverſaries, if the hedge ſhould be removed from the vineyard, every one would be ready to pluck the vines. Pſal. 80.12, 13. Therefore the Lord himſelf doth and will keep it. I the Lord do keep it—I will keep it. And ſee the extenſiveneſs of Gods care for his vineyard, both as to the perſons and times, he will keep it from being hurt by any perſon at any time. Leaſt any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. And conſider the times to which this promiſe relates, and they are times of greateſt danger. VVhen God is taking his ſore, and great and long Sword into his hand to puniſh his, and his Churches Adverſaries, which are as ſubtle as Serpents, as cruel as the Dragon, as ſtrong and potent as the Leviathan. ver. 1. It relates alſo to that day wherein God is riſing out of his place to puniſh the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquities. Chap. 26. ver. 21. In that day when he is puniſhing the inhabitants of the earth, and ſending ſore judgments on ſuch, as are like the Serpents and Dragons, he will keep his vineyard night and day leaſt any hurt it. Another Scripture that ſets out the conſtancy of Gods care for his People's welfare. VVe have Pſal. 121.5, 6, 7. Behold he that keepeth Iſrael will not ſlumber nor ſleep. The Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy ſhade upon thy right hand. The Sun ſhall not ſmite thee by day, nor the Moon by night. The Lord p. 129ſhall preſerve thee from all evil. How ſafe are they that have the Lord for their Keeper? when we ſleep and can take no care of our ſelves, he that keepeth Iſrael neither ſlumbereth nor ſleepeth. He keepeth us from all evil by night and by day. For that is the meaning of the Sun ſhall not ſmite thee by day, nor the Moon by night. For the Sun that ruleth the day, and the Moon that ruleth the night. Gen. 1.16. 'Tis as much as to ſay, he will keep us from all harms, he will keep us in ſafety day and night. The care that the Lord taketh of his people, is like the care that God took of the land of Canaan, which was as Moſes ſaith, Deut. 11.12. A Land which the Lord thy God careth for: the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year, even unto the end of the year. Such is the care that the Lord hath of his people, his eyes are always upon them for good, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. The Lord taketh care of all his people from the day of their birth, yea from their being in the womb to their old age, yea to the day of our death. Iſa. 46.3, 4. Pſal. 48. ult. He will be our guide even untill death.

And as the Lord taketh the care of his people at all times, both by night and by day, ſo alſo in all places, whitherſoever they go, he goeth with them to keep them in all places, and to preſerve their going out, and their coming in. Joſh. 1.9. The Lord thy God is p. 130with thee, whitherſoever thou goeſt. Gen. 28.15. Behold I am with thee, to keep thee in all places whither thou goeſt. Pſal. 121.8. The Lord ſhall preſerve thy going out and thy coming in, from this time forth, and even for evermore. What a comfort is this, when the way we are to paſs through is full of danger, either by reaſon of the Sword or Peſtilence, or any other evil, that we have a God, that will go along with us, whitherſoever we go.

4. That care which the Lord taketh of his people is a wonderfull great care, the Lord Jeſus is ſo carefull of all his Members, that they are never out of his eye, Job 36.7. He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous, whether they go into any parts of the earth, ſtill his eyes are upon them for good, 2 Chron. 16.9. The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to ſhew himſelf ſtrong in the behalf of them whoſe heart is perfect towards him. And the greater their dangers are, the more the eye of God is upon them, Pſal. 33.18, 19. Behold the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy, to deliver their ſoul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. The Lord would have us take notice for our comfort, that when we are in danger of death by famine or other judgments, his eye is upon us, and therefore there is a note of attention prefixed, Behold the eye of the Lord—The Lord is ſo carefull of his people, p. 131that they are never out of his thoughts, Iſa. 442. O Iſrael thou ſhalt not be forgotten of me. What the Lord ſaid of Solomons temple, 2 Chron. 7.16. Mine eyes and mine heart ſhall be there perpetually. The ſame may be ſaid of all true Chriſtians, who are the temple of God, 2 Cor. 6.16. Gods eyes and his heart are upon them perpetually. The Lord is ſo careful of his people, that they are never out of his arms, Deut. 33.3, 27. All his Saints are in thy hand—The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlaſting armes. He is ſo carefull of his people that he layes his lambs and carries them in his boſom, Iſa. 40.11. He ſhall feed his flock like a ſhepherd, he ſhall gather his lambs with his arm, and carry them in his boſom. When the Wolves are abroad, the lambs are ſafe as long as they are in the ſhepherds boſom.

5. Anſ. The Lord is exceeding carefull of all his people himſelf, ſo alſo he hath ſent forth all his Angels to miniſter to their neceſſities, and given them a great charge to keep them in all their wayes, and to enca up round about them, and deliver them out of all their dangers, Heb. 1.14. Are they not all miniſtring ſpirits, ſent forth to miniſter for them whoſhall be heirs of ſalvation, Pſal. 91.11, 12. He ſhall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy wayes, they ſhall bear thee up in their hands, leſt thou daſh thy foot againſt a ſtone. The angels have a charge to keep us in all our p. 132wayes, whether ſoever we go, in all the wayes of our general and particular calling, they ſhall bear thee up in their hands, as nurſes carry their children, having them alwayes in their eye, leſt thou daſh thy foot againſt a ſtone. They have a charge not onelyonly to keep us from great but from leſſer evils, not onelyonly from bruiſing our bodies, breaking our necks, or our bones, but from daſhing our feet againſt a ſtone. Pſal. 34.7. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. Suppoſe the times be very dangerous, yet as long as we have a guard of Angels about us, we need not be afraid. One Angel is a better guard and ſecurity to us, than an Army of an Hundred Thouſand Men. Angels have greater power than the greateſt and moſt valiant Armies of Armed men. VVe read of a great Army, an Hundred Fourſcore and Five Thouſand Men, deſtroyed in a night by one Angel. Iſa. 37.36. And therefore ſuch as fear God are in a ſafe condition in dangerous times, becauſe the Angels of God encamp round about them to deliver them.

Obj. How is this true, that the Lord taketh ſuch a ſpecial, continual exceeding great care of all his Peopole, when many of the people of God fall into very great ſtraits and troubles, and though they cry to God, he ſeemeth not to regard them, but they think themſelves forgotten and forſaken of God.

p. 133A. 1. Eminent dangers, and great tribu lations, accompanied with a long deferring of deſired and expectd help, have ſtaggered the Faith of eminent Saints, and made them ready to think that God did not regard them, and took no care of them. Job. 30.20. I cry unto thee and thou doſt not hear, I ſtand up and thou regardeſt me not. When the Diſciples were in a great ſtorm, and ready to periſh, they were ready to think that Chriſt took no care of them. Mark 4.38. Maſter careſt thou not that we periſh? Iſa. 49.14. Zion ſaid, the Lord hath forſaken me, and my God hath forgotten me.

2. Sharp afflictions and long exerciſes of Faith and Patience are conſiſtent with the Fatherly love of God, and his tender care over us. He may chide us for our faults, ſpeak againſt us, write and act bitter things againſt us. and yet have a dear love to us, and a continual and affectionate remembrance of us. Jer. 31.20. Ever ſince I ſpake against him, I do earneſtly remember him ſtill, therefore my bowels are troubled for him. God ſpake againſt Ephraim, God acted againſt Ephraim— Thou haſt chaſtiſed me— Yet Ephraim was his dear Son, his pleaſant Child, he had an earneſt remembrance of him, and his bowels were troubled for him. Rev. 3.19. Whom I love, I rebuke and chaſten.

3. If we conſult Gods word, and judge of Gods dealings with us by Faith, and not by p. 134Senſe, Faith will teach us to ſay God is with us, and takes care of us, when Senſe ſaith God hath forgotten and forſaken us. Iſa. 49.14, 15, 16. Zion was graven upon the palms of Gods hands, and her walls were continually before the Lord, and God was more mindfull of her, than any Mother of her ſucking Child, when ſhe thought her ſelf forgotten and forſaken of God.

Now this care which the Lord takes of his people is a ground of great comfort in all their troubles. VVhen Paul was a Priſoner at Rome, it was a great comfort to him in his Bonds, when he underſtood the care that the Philippians took of him. Phil 4.10. But I rejoyced in the Lord greatly, that now at the laſt your care of me hath flouriſh'd, again, wherein, you were carefull; but ye lacked opportunity. If the Apoſtle had great joy to ſee that the Philippians took care of him in his Bonds, what joy may it be to us, to hear of the care that the great God takes of us in all our troubles. VVhat is the care of a man, to the care of a God? The Philippians care of the Apoſtle was unconſtant, one while they were mindfull of him, and then they either forgot or neglected him, as appears by that expreſſion, your care of me hath flouriſhed again, which implyeth a decay in their care, and it was a good while before it flouriſhed again as is intimated in thoſe words; now at laſt your care of me — But Gods care is conſtant without intermiſſion. p. 135VVhen the Philippians were carefull of Paul they lack…d opportunity to do what they deſired to do for him, but God never lacketh opportunity of doing us good. If Paul then rejoyced greatly, of the care the Philippians took of him, how ought we to rejoyce in that care which the great God taketh of us. What the Apoſtle ſaith to the Coloſſians; Col. 2.1. I wiſh you knew what great care (ſo the word is expreſſed in the Margin) I have for you. And why was he ſo deſirous that they might know the great care he had for them? That their hearts might be comforted—ver. 2. So may I ſay to all you that belong to Chriſt, I wiſh you knew what great care the Lord takes for you at all times, it would wonderfully comfort your hearts in all your dangers and troubles.

3. That God who ruleth and governeth the world by his providence, and taketh ſuch a great care of his, is an infinitely wiſe God, and the wiſdom and knowledge of God is a ground of great comfort under all Perſonal and National Calamities. Pſal. 31.7. I will be glad and rejoyce in thy mercy, for thou haſt conſidered my trouble, thou haſt known my Soul in adverſities. It was a great comfort to David, that God knew all his adverſities, and conſidered all his troubles. VVhen Daniel foreſaw the great changes God would make in the world, in removing Kings and ſetting up Kings, and changing the Monarchies and p. 136government of the Kingdoms of the earth, the conſideration of the wiſdom of God manifeſted in thoſe changes and revolutions, made him break out into bleſſing and praiſing God. Dan. 2.20, 21. Bleſſed be the name of God for ever and ever; for Wiſdom and Might are his, And he changeth the times and the ſeaſors, he removeth Kings, and he ſetteth up Kings, Yet Daniel who bleſſed God for changing times and ſeaſons, knew that ſometimes when God makes changes in Kingdoms, he ſets up the baſeſt of men to be Rulers. Dan. 4.17. The moſt high ruleth in the Kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomſoever he will, and ſetteth ever it the baſeſt of men. That we may ſee what comfort ariſeth from the wiſdom and knowledge of God in times of great diſtreſs, let us conſider theſe 4 or 5 things.

1. The Lord knoweth who are his, who they are that put their truſt in him, and make God their refuge, he can call them every one by their names, ſo that there is no danger that any of his ſhould periſh through a miſtake, in times of confuſion, when he is ſending his judgments upon wicked men. 2 Tim. 2.19. The foundation of God ſtandeth ſure, having this ſeal, the Lord knoweth them that are his. Some of the Lords People walk in darkneſs, and do not know that they are the Lords, but there is no darkneſs with the Lord, he knoweth them that are his. Nah. 1.7. The Lord is good, a ſtrong hold in the day of p. 137trouble, and he knoweth them that truſt in him. The Lord hath ſuch perfect knowledge of all that are his, that whereſoever they are diſperſed or ſcattered into any parts of the world, he can call them every one by name. Joh. 10.3, 14. He calleth his own ſheep by name, and leadeth them out— I am the good Shepherd, and know my Sheep. The Stars are ſo many that no man can number them, yet the Lord calleth every one of them by their name. Pſal. 147.4. He telleth the number of the Stars, he calleth them all by their names. And he that calleth the Stars by their names he knoweth, and can call every one by his name. Now this is a great comfort to us, that God knoweth us by name. Moſes ſpeaketh of it as a great favour, that God knew him by name. Exod. 33.12. Thou haſt ſaid I know thee by name, and thou haſt found grace in my ſight

2. The Lord knoweth how to guide and direct his judgments, that they ſhall fall upon, and take hold of thoſe only that are marked out, and deſigned for deſtruction. What is ſaid of the Thunder and Lightning. Job. 37.3. He directeth it under the whole Heaven, and his Lightnings unto the end of the earth. The Thunder and Lightning touch no perſon, do no damage to any man. but at the direction of God. The ſame is true of other judgments alſo; VVhen a certain man drew a bow at a venture, it was God guided the Arrow to the King of Iſrael, and that directed it to go between p. 138the joynts of the Harneſs. 1 King. 22.34. When the Lord ſent ſeveral plagues on the land of Egypt, he ſo ordered and guided his judgments, that they fell only on the Egyptians, and did not touch the Iſraelites, yea he did not only diſtinguiſh between the perſons of the Iſraelites and the Egyptians, but alſo between their Cattel. Exod. 9.4. The Lord ſhall ſever between the cattel of Iſrael, and the cattel of Egypt, there ſhall nothing dye of all that is the children of Iſraels.

3. The Lord knoweth our conditions, what dangers we are in, what troubles and ſorrows we meet with, what ſtraits and diſtreſſes are upon us. Exod. 7. And the Lord ſaid, I have ſurely ſeen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reaſon of their Task-maſters, for I know their ſorrows. Pſal. 38.9. Lord all my deſire is before thee, and my groaning is not hid rom thee. When we are in great ſtraits, and have friends that are able to help us, we are ready to ſay, Oh that ſuch a friend did but know how it is with me. The Child is ready to ſay, Oh that my Father knew how it was with me, and the Wife is ready to ſay in diſtreſs, Oh that my Husband knew how it was with me! Our God who is our Friend, our Father, our Huſband always knoweth how it is with us, and may not this comfort us in our ſorrows.

4. The Lord knoweth all our adverſaries, their wrath and fury, their plottings and contrivances p. 139againſt us, Pſal. 69.19. Mine adverſaries are all before thee. When the Aſſyrian came with great rage againſt Jeruſalem, their doings and contrivances were not hid from the Lord, Iſa. 37.28. I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage againſt me.

5. The Lord knoweth how to deliver us out of all our troubles, when we our ſelves can't ſee or think which way we ſhall be delivered, 2 Pet. 2.9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations.

4. This God that governs the world, and takes care of his people, is acquainted with all their troubles, is an Almighty God, able to ſuccour, ſave and defend them from their greateſt danger and diſtreſſes, and this Almighty power of God, is a ground of great comfort in times of greateſt dangers and diſtreſſes, Pſal. 2.1. The king ſhall joy in thy strength O Lord. David had many enemies, and ſome of them very potent, Princes were his perſecutors, and what was his comfort under all his dangers, and troubles? The power of God. It rejoyced his heart, when he conſidered what a ſtrong God he had to be his helper. The Lord himſelf propoſeth his creating power, as a ground of Comfort to his people, againſt the fury and power of their adverſaries, Iſa. 51.11, 12. I, even I am he that comforeth thee, who art thou, that thou p. 140ſhouldeſt be afraid of a man that ſhall dye, and of the Son of man which ſhall be made as graſs. And forgetteſt the Lord thy maker, that hath ſtretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth? This power of God is a ground of comfort in times of greateſt danger in ſeveral reſpects.

1. The power of God is an Almighty power. There is nothing ſo hard but the power of God is able to do it. Jer. 32.17. He can do every thing that he pleaſeth. Job 42.2. I know that thou canſt do every thing, and that no thought can be with-holden from thee. There are no dangers ſo great but God can deliver us out of them. Daniel was in great danger when he was in a Den of Lyons, yet God delivered him out of the Lions Den. David was in greater danger than Daniel, when he was in the Lyons paw, yet God delivered him out of the Lyons paw. 1 Sam. 17.37. Paul was in greater danger than David, who was in the Lyons mouth, yet God delivered him out of the mouth of the Lyon. 2 Tim. 4.17. I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion. Jonah was in greater danger than Paul, when he was in the fiſhes belly, yet God delivered Jonah out of the fiſhes belly. Jonah 3.1.10. God can deliver us out of the hands of the ſtrongeſt and moſt enraged enemies. Nebuchadnezzar was the greateſt Monarch in the world, all People, Nations and Languages trembled before him. Dan. 5.19. And p. 141he was greatly enraged againſt the 3 Children, becauſe they would not worſhip the golden image which he had ſet up, and he threatned the ſame hour that they refuſed to worſhip his image, they ſhould be caſt into a burning fiery furnace, yet hear what they ſaid to him. Dan. 3.16, 17. O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not carefull to anſwer thee in this matter. If it be ſo, our God whom we ſerve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery Furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O King.

2. This Almighty power of God is engaged for our defence, to take the care of us, and defend us all the days of our lives. Job 23.25. Tea the Almighty ſhall be our defence. Now this is a great comfort under greateſt troubles, that we have the Almighty God for our defence. Pſal. 94.19, 22. In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my Soul. And what were his comforts when he had many troubled thoughts? Among other comforts this was none of the meaneſt, that though he had mighty enemies, that thirſted after his blood, yet he had the Almighty God for his defence. ver. 22. But the Lord is my defence, and my God the rock of my refuge. Yea this is a ground of the higheſt joy, and of everlaſting joy, under all the changes and revolutions that come upon the world, that the Almighty God is a defence to all that put their truſt in him. Pſal. 5.11. But let all thoſe that put their truſt in thee rejoyce, let them ever ſhout p. 142for joy, becauſe thou defendeſt them. Shouting for the joy is the higheſt expreſſion of joy, now they, all they that put their truſt in God, have cauſe not only to rejoyce, but to ſhout for joy, and that for ever, becauſe God defendeth them.

3. That Almighty power which is engaged for the defence of all that truſt in God, is an everlaſting ſtrength. The Lords arm is not ſhortned that he cannot ſave, he is able to do as great things for his people in theſe days, as he did for our Fathers in former days. And this may unite and ſtrengthen our Faith to truſt in the Lord at all times, though the times be never ſo dangerous and troubleſome, that his power is everlaſting. Iſa. 26.4. Truſt ye in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlaſting ſtrength.

5. The gracious and precious promiſes of God, are a ground of ſtrong Conſolation under all troubles, both Perſonal and National diſtreſſes. Jer. 15.16. Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and they were unto me the joy, and the rejoycing of my heart. Obſerve Jeremiahs perſonal afflictions at this time, when the word of God was the joy and the rejoycing of his heart. He was a man of ſtrife and contention to the whole earth, and every one railed at him and curſed him, which made him cry out of his wo and miſery. ver. 10. The Lord had filled him with indignation, p. 143and he looked upon his pain as perpetual, and his wound incurable. ver. 17.18. Beſides his perſonal afflictions, there were great judgments coming upon the Nation; the Sword, and Famine, and Peſtilence, and Captivity. ver. 2.3, 4. Yet under National and Perſonal calamities, the word of God was the joy and rejoycing of his heart. So Pſal. 60.2.3, 6. Thou haſt made the earth to tremble, thou haſt broken it— Thou haſt ſhewen thy people hard things, thou haſt made us to drink the wine of aſtoniſhment— God hath ſpoken in his holineſs, I will rejoyce. Gods promiſes were a rejoycing to Davids heart, when God ſent ſuch judgments as made the earth to tremble, and broke Kingdoms in pieces; yea when God ſhewed his own people hard things, and made them ſtand aſtoniſhed to ſee how he dealt with them, God hath made ſeveral ſorts of promiſes to comfort his peoples hearts in difficult and dangerous times, when he is bringing ruine and deſolation upon the places where they live. I will inſtance in ſome of them.

1. The Lord hath promiſed to be an hiding place, and a refuge to his people, when he ſends his judgments upon the places where they live. Iſa. 32.2, 18, 19. Pſal. 32.6. Pſal. 9.9. Deut. 33.12. Prov. 18.10. Zeph. 2.3. compared with Chap. 1.2, 3, 17, 18. And not only to be a refuge to godly men themſelves, but to their children. Prov. 14.26. See alſo Iſa. 8.7, 8, 13, 14. When p. 144the Aſſyrian ſhould invade the land, and overrun all parts of the land, the Lord promiſeth to be a Sanctuary to ſuch as did make him their ſear and their dread. Ezek. 11.16.

2. The Lord hath promiſed to deal well wit his people in times of publick calamity, even when he ſends ruine and deſtruction upon the places where they live. Iſa. 3.8, 10. Jeruſalem is ruined, Judah is fallen— Say ye to the righteous it ſhall be well with him. Eccl. 8.12. Jer. 15.11. As the ſame cloud which was dark and dreadfull to the Egyptians, gave light to the Iſraelites. Exod. 14.20. So God can make thoſe providences which are dreadfull to wicked men, to be refreſhing to his own people.

3. The Lord hath promiſed to bear up the Faith and Hope of his People, that their hearts ſhall not ſink and dye within them in evil days, though very diſmal and dark days. Joel 3.15, 16. The Prophet ſpeaks of very dreadfull judgments under Metaphorical expreſſions, yet ſaith, God ſhall be the hope and ſtrength of his people in ſuch a day.

4. The Lord hath promiſed to comfort his people in times of common calamity. Iſa. 29.9, 19. At that day when the Lord viſited Jeruſalem with Thunder and an Earthquake, and a Storm and Tempeſt, and devouring Fire, he promiſeth that the meek ſhall encreaſe their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men rejoyce in the holy one of Iſrael. Job p. 1455.22. At Deſtruction and Famine thou ſhal laugh. Mal. 4.1, 2.

5. The Lord hath promiſed to moderate the afflictions which he layeth upon his people, and what ever he layeth upon others, he will lay upon them no more than he will enable them to bear. Iſa. 27.8. The Prophet had given them warning, that he was coming out of his place to puniſh the inhabitants of the earth for their ſins. Ch. 26. ver. 21. And live for the comfort of the people of God, he tells God would take a meaſure of his peoples ſtrength and ſufferings, and that he would ſtay his rough wind in the day of his Eaſt wind. Jer. 30.11. When the Lord is making a full end of all Nations, he will correct them in meaſure. 1 Cor. 10.13. He will not ſuffer us to be Tempted above what we are able to bear.

6. The Lord hath promiſed to afford his gracious preſence with his people under their greateſt troubles, not only at their entrance into, but in their paſſage through the Fire and the Water. Iſa. 42.1, 2. Fear not, thou art mine, when thou paſſeſt through the waters I will be with thee, &c. Pſal. 91.15. I will be with him in trouble.

7. The Lord hath promiſed his people deliverance out of their greateſt troubles. Jer. 30.7. Alas, for that day is great. ſo that none is like it, it is even the day of Jacobs trouble, but he ſhall be ſaved out of it. Pſal. 50.15. p. 146Pſalm 71.20. Pſalm 34.19.

8. The Lord hath promiſed to Sanctifie National troubles to his people, and to make them work together for their good. Jer. 24.5. Zech. 13.9. Rom. 8.28.

6. It is a ground of comfort under National troubles, that God will by them bring glory to his own name, advance the Kingdom of Chriſt, and promote the good of his own people. Iſa. 5.15, 16. When God ſtains the glory of the world, then our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who is called the branch of the Lord, ſhall be beautifull and glorious. Iſa. 4.2. compared with Iſa. 3.8. There were very great commotions in Judea before the coming of Chriſt, God ſhook the Heavens and the Earth, and ſhook all Nations, and the Scepter departed from Judah, and then Chriſt the deſire of all Nations came. Hag. 2.6, 7. There were great overturnings, both in Church and State, before the coming of our Lord Jeſus. Ezek. 21.27. When God executed his judgments upon the Zidonians, it was for his own glory. Ezek. 28.22. When ſuch judgments begin to come upon the earth as make mens hearts to fail for fear, then the people of God are exhorted to lift up their heads, becauſe their Redemption draweth near. Luk. 21.25, 26, 28.

Obj. 1. Theſe are comfortable conſiderations p. 147may ſome ſay, but we ſee, notwithſtanding the providence and promiſes of God, and the care that God takes of his people, that all things come alike to all men, the righteous periſh as well as the wicked, in times of common calamities.

A. 1. There are oft times very ſignal providences in delivering Righteous men in times of common calamity, as Noah, Gen. 7.1. and Lot, Gen. 19.16. And thoſe that ſighed and cryed for the ſins of Judah and Jeruſalem. Ezek. 9.4, 6.

2. Sometimes Gods People pertake of the ſins of the times and places where they live, and then they pertake in temporal puniſhments, though they be pardoned as to their eternal ſtate. Rev. 18.4. Pſal. 99.8.

3. When the Lord doth not ſave his people with a temporal Salvation under publick calamities, but lets them fall by the Sword and Peſtilence, and other judgments, as well as other men, he ſaves them with an eternal Salvation. Iſa. 45.17. Heb. 5.9.

4. When the people of God meet with the ſame ſufferings that other men meet with, and all things ſeem to come alike to them and others, yet there is a vaſt difference between the ſufferings of the people of God and other men. For

(1.) All the afflictions of the righteous come in love. Rev. 3.19. But the troubles of the wicked come in wrath. Pſal. 2.5.

p. 1482. Righteous men have God with them in their troubles. Pſal. 91.15. But the Lord is far from the wicked. Prov. 15.29.

3. The troubles of Righteous men do them good. Pſal. 119.71. But wicked wax worſe and worſe under their afflictions. Iſa. 1.5. 2 Chron. 28.22. 2 Tim. 3.13.

4. Righteous men have Gods bleſſing going along with their troubles. Pſal. 2.9, 12. Pſal. 94.12. But wicked men have Gods curſe with their troubles. Iſa. 34.5.

Obj. 2. If I knew that I were one whom God would take care off, and protect in a time of common calamity, that would be a great ſtay and comfort to my mind, but I do not know whither God will take care of me, and preſerve me. And therfore what hath been ſaid of the care of God of his people in an evil day, is but of little uſe unto me.

A. 1. Doſt thou love God? If thou haſt ſet thy love upon God, thou mayſt reſt ſatisfied, God will take care of thee, and preſerve thee in an evil day. Pſal. 145, 20. The Lord preſerveth all them that love him. Pſal. 91.14, 15. Becauſe he hath ſet his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him.

2. Haſt thou committed thy ſelf to God? deſiring him to take the care of thee, and doſt thou truſt in him, and rely upon him to take the care of thee? then thou mayeſt be ſatisfied in thy mind, that he will watch over thee p. 149in an evil day. Pſal. 10.14. The poor commiteth himſelf unto thee, thou art the helper of the Fatherleſs. Pſal. 91.2, 3. I will ſay of the Lord, he is my Refuge and my Fortreſs, my God, in him will I truſt, ſurely he ſhall deliver thee— Pſal. 5.11. But let all thoſe that put their truſt in thee rejoyce, let them ever ſhout for joy, becauſe thou defendeſt them.

3. Doſt thou lead a godly life? If ſo, know for thy comfort that God doth, and will take a ſpecial care of thee in an evil day. Pſalm 41.3. But know that God hath ſet apart him that is godly for himſelf. Pſal. 32.6.

4. Is thy heart upright with God, and doſt thou walk in thine integrity? then the Lord taketh a peculiar care of thee. Pſal. 7.10. My defence is of God, which ſaveth the upright in heart. Prov. 2.7. He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. Pſal. 84.11.

5. Doſt thou mourn for the ſins of the times and places in which thou liveſt? Then thou art marked out for preſervation in a time of common calamity. Ezek. 9.4, 6.

Obj. 3. But I am ſuch a poor ſimple ſhiftleſs creature, that I am afraid God will not take care of me.

A. 1. Though thou art never ſo poor and ſhiftleſs and ſimple, yet if thou committeſt thy ſelf to God, he will take the care of thee. Pſal. 116.6. The Lord preſerveth the ſimple. Pſal. 10.14. The poor committeth himſelf unto p. 150thee, thou art the helper of the Fatherleſs.

2. Though thou art never ſuch a poor, ſhiſtleſs, ſimple creature, thou art of more value than the birds of the air, yet none of them, no not the meaneſt of them, not To much as a little Sparrow is forgotten or neglected of God. Luk. 12.6, 7. Are not five Sparrows ſold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God. Fear not therefore ye are of more value than many Sparrows.

Obj. 4. But I am a ſinfull creature, and therefore I am afraid God will not take care of me in an evil day.

A. 1. If thou beeſt an impenitent Sinner, then thou art in a wofull condition. Iſa. 3.11. Pſal. 11.6. Pſal. 75.8. When he fleeth from one judgment another will overtake him. Job 20.24.

2. If thou haſt repented of thy ſins, and humbled thy Soul for them, and fled to the blood of Chriſt for the pardon of them, thou haſt good ground to hope that the Lord will take the care of thee in an evil day. 2 Chron. 12.7. They have humbled themſelves, therefore I will not deſtroy them. Job. 22.23, 25. If thou return to the Almighty — The Almighty ſhall be thy defence. And ver. 29. When men are cast down, then thou ſhalt ſay, there is a lifting up, and he ſhall ſave the humble perſon. Such as have humbled their Souls for their ſins, and fled to Chriſt for the pardon of their p. 151ſins, may ſay with David Pſal. 49.5. Wherefore ſhould I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels ſhall compaſs me about.

§. Grounds of Conſolation in the hotteſt times of perſecution

The Spouſe enquireth, Cant. 1.7. where he maketh his flock to reſt at noon. Tell me O thou whom my Soul loveth— where thou makeſt thy flock to reſt at noon. By noon underſtand aeſtus perſecutionis, as Mercer and others, the heat of Perſecution. The Noon is the hotteſt time of the day. By making the flock to reſt at noon, we may underſtand, how thou comforteſt, how thou ſupporteſt thy people; how and by what means thou giveſt reſt to the Souls of thy people, in the hotteſt times of perſecution. And what the Spouſe enquired after, Chriſt diſcovered to her, namely that her reſt is in himſelf. Mat. 11.28. Come to me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt. And having found reſt and refreſhment in Chriſt, in the hotteſt day, ſhe tells others where ſhe had her delights and comforts in the heat of the day, and that was in Chriſt. Cant. 2.3. I ſate down under his ſhadow with great delight, and his fruit was ſweet to my taſt. Upon theſe words, I ſat down under his ſhadow with great delight. Piſcator hath this interpretation; Cum ſentio vel arixietatem vel perſecutionem, ad Chriſtum confugio p. 152ut is me per Spiritum ſanctum, & verbum Dei conſoletur. When I feel any diſtreſs or perſecution I flee to Chriſt, that he would comfort me by his Word and Spirit. The fruit which the Spouſe ſaith was ſweet, are the benefits we have by Chriſt, as remiſſion of ſins, Eternal Life, &c. In the foregoing words Chriſt is likened to an Apple-tree, and the benefits that we have by Chriſt are the Fruit of this Tree, which yields much comfort and refreſhing to the people of God. And to this agreeth Piſcator's note upon the place. Conſolationes Chriſti ſunt dulces animis fidelium; The comforts of Chriſt are ſweet to the Souls of Believers. There is comfort in Chriſt and from Chriſt, under the hotteſt perſecutions of the Church; if any ſay how may we be enabled by the help of Chriſt to bear up chearfully in times of greateſt perſecution, when we are called to reſiſt unto blood, and to undergo fiery tryals.

A. 1. Get a right underſtanding of perſecutions for Chriſts and the Goſpels ſake, look upon them not with an eye of Senſe, but an eye of Faith, judge of them as they are repreſented in the Scripture, and not as fleſh and blood repreſents them to you. For this will lay a Foundation for chearfullneſs under the foreſt perſecutions, if we have a right account of them. To this end conſider what account the Scripture gives of perſecutions for p. 153Chriſts ſake, or which is all one, for the Goſpels ſake, or for Righteouſneſs ſake.

1. Perſecutions for Righteouſneſs ſake are Bleſſings, real Bleſſings, great Bleſſings, for they confirm our title to a Kingdom, a more glorious Kingdom than any is to be enjoyed in this World. Mat. 5.10. Bleſſed are they which are perſecuted for Righteouſneſs ſake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. If a man conſult with fleſh and blood that will tell him, it is a miſerable thing to be under perſecution, to have our eſtates, liberties and lives taken from us, but if we conſult the Scriptures, they will tell us, that 'tis a bleſſed thing to be perſecuted, and that there are no men on earth more bleſſed, than they that are perſecuted for Righteouſneſs ſake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven, and none are ſo happy as they that ſhall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

2. Perſecutions for Righteouſneſs ſake are matter of joy rather than ſorrow. 1 Pet. 4.13. But rejoyce in as much as ye are pertakers of the ſufferings of Chriſt. Yea they are a ground of exceeding great joy, for they encreaſe our grace here, and our glory hereafter. They are a ground of great joy, as they encreaſe our grace here. Jam. 1.2, 3. My brethren count it all joy, when ye fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your Faith worketh patience. The Apoſtle writes to the twelve Tribes that were ſcattered abroad, where being removed out of their own country, was p. 154ſome degree of perſecution, and when abroad among Heathens and Idolaters, they were continually liable to perſecutions for Righteouſneſs ſake, yet he bids them count it all joy, when they fell into divers temptations, becauſe hereby their Faith ſhould be tryed, and Patience encreaſed. Perſecutions for Righteouſneſs ſake are a ground of exceeding great joy, becauſe they will encreaſe our glory in Heaven for ever. Mat. 5.11, 12. Bleſſed are ye when men ſhall revile you, and perſecute you, and ſhall ſay all manner of evil againſt you falſly for my ſake. Rejoyce and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for ſo perſecuted they the Prophets which were before you. Obſerve here our Lord Jeſus doth not ſay to his Servants when under perſecution, be not caſt down, but rejoyce and be glad, and not only ſo, but be exceeding glad, and why, becauſe perſecutions encreaſe our reward in the other World. Great is your reward in Heaven. Yea he would have us ſo exceeding joyfull as to leap for joy. Luk. 6.23. Rejoyce ye in that day, and leap for joy, for behold your reward is great in Heaven. That day wherein Chriſt would have us leap for joy, is the day of perſecution, ſpoken of in the foregoing verſe.

3. Perſecutions for Chriſt are honours and favours, and ought to be eſteemed as ſuch as by all true Chriſtians. Act. 5.41. And they departed from the preſence of the counſel, rejoycing p. 155that they were counted worthy to ſuffer ſhame for his name. The Apoſtles counted it an honour to be beaten and reproached for Chriſt. Phil. 1.29. Ʋnto you it is given in the behalf of Chriſt, not only to believe on him, but alſo to ſuffer for his name ſake; We ſee here, that it is a gift, a favour for a man to be called to ſuffer for Chriſt.

4. Perſecutions for Chriſt are not ſtrange and unuſual things, but are the common lot of Chriſtians, and are to be counted upon by all that will live Godly in Chriſt, from the firſt day we give our ſelves to Chriſt, till we lay down theſe Earthly Tabernacles. 2 Tim. 2.12. Yea, and all that will live Godly in Chriſt Jeſus ſhall ſuffer perſecution. Sufferings for Chriſt are to be expected from the firſt day, that we give our ſelves to Chriſt. Mark 8.34. Whoſoever will come after me — let him take up his croſs. And to the laſt day of our continuance in this World, for we are liable to ſufferings as long as we continue in the body. Heb. 13.2. Remember them that ſuffer adverſity, as being your ſelves alſo in the body. Yea we muſt not think it a ſtrange thing if we ſhould meet with fiery tryals, and be burnt for our Religion as well as others have been before us. 1 Pet. 4, 12. Beloved think it not ſtrange concerning the fiery tryal, which is to try you, as though ſome ſtrange thing happened to you. That paſſage Heb. 12.4. Ye have not yet reſiſted unto blood— Intimateth that all Chriſtians ſhould count upon p. 156it, that though they had not hitherto, yet it may be their lot to have their blood ſhed for Chriſt. They had ſuffered deeply in their names and eſtates, and were eminent for grace, and had attained aſſurance of their Salvation. Ch. 10.32, 33, 34. Yet for all this, though God had ſpared them as to life, and they had not yet reſiſted unto blood, they knew not, but that might alſo come upon them, to lay down their lives for Chriſt.

2. The knowledge and belief of Gods infinite, everlaſting and unchangable love to us in Chriſt Jeſus, and of Chriſts love in laying down his Life for us, will carry us chearfully through our greateſt perſecutions. and make us to triumph over all manner of perſecutions, even at ſuch a time as we are killed all the day long, and counted as ſheep for the ſlaughter. As we may ſee it excellently ſet out, Rom. 8.35, 36, 37, 38, 39, Who ſhall ſeparate us from the love of Chriſt! ſhall Tribulation, or Diſtreſs, or Famine, or Nakedneſs, or Peril, or Sword? (As it is written, for thy ſake we are killed all the day long, we are accounted as ſheep for the ſlaughter) Nay in all theſe things we are more than Conquerors through him that loved us. For I am perſwaded that neither death nor life, &c. nor any other creature ſhall be able to ſeparate us from the love of God which is in Chriſt Jeſus. Let us take notice in this Scripture of theſe things.

p. 1571. The love of Chriſt, and the love of God in Chriſt towards his people, is ſo fixed, ſo firm, ſo unchangeable, that no manner of troubles or perſecutions, no creature in Heaven or Earth is or ſhall be able to ſeparate them from the love of Chriſt, and the love of God which is in Chriſt Jeſus, that is, which is grounded upon the merits and mediation of Jeſus Chriſt.

2. The apprehenſion and perſwaſion of Gods love to our Souls in Chriſt Jeſus, and the immutability of this love, will help us to overcome and triumph over all manner of troubles and perſecutions. Nay in all theſe things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us, for I am perſwaded that neither death nor life—nor any other creature, ſhall be able to ſeperate us from the love of God which is in Chriſt Jeſus. In all theſe things, that is, all the forementioned tribulations and perſecutions, though we be flain by the Sword, or are ſtarved to Death by Famine, we are conquerors, yea more than conquerors, and how? not by our own ſtrength, but through him that loved us, and how doth he give us the victory. By giving us a firm perſwaſion of the unchangeable love of God in Chriſt. For I am perſwaded.

3. Obſerve the time and ſeaſon when the ſervants of Chriſt are made to triumph as conquerors over all their troubles, and that is, when it is noon day in reſpect of their perſecutions, p. 158when 'tis the hotteſt time of perſecution, when they are not only deprived of their goods, thruſt into priſons, but killed, killed all the day long, and counted as ſheep for the ſlaughter. And let us ſee what is implyed in theſe expreſſions.

(1.) It is to be all the day long in hazard and danger of death. When it is with us as it was with Hezekiah in his ſickneſs. Iſa. 38.13. So 'tis with us in reſpect of our perſecutors, we reckon in the night they may come upon us before the morning, and the morning may come before the night, and rend and tear us in pieces, or when 'tis with us as it was with David. Pſal. 119.109. My Soul is continually in my hand, then we may be ſaid to be killed all the day long.

(2.) When we are put to a lingring death, that it may be the more painfull, that we are as it were all the day long in a dying condition; this ſome perſecutors endeavoured, ut ſentiant ſe mori, then we may be ſaid to be killed all the day long.

(3.) When perſecutors make no more of killing us, than they do of killing ſheep, when the Saints are killed in abundance, that it is a time of much blood-ſhed, yea when they joy in the death of Gods Servants. Iſa. 22.13. They are counted as Sheep for the ſlaughter.

Now the knowledge and belief of the love of Chriſt, will help us to go through all perſecutions chearfully, ſeveral ways.

p. 1591. As it leads to the filling our Souls with the graces and comforts of the Spirit of God. Eph. 3.19. And to know the love of Christ which paſſeth knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fulneſs of God. The more we are filled with the graces and comforts of the Holy Ghoſt, the ſtronger we ſhall be to ſuffer for Chriſt, for the joy of the Lord is our ſtrength.

2. As it draws out our love to Chriſt. 1 Joh. 3.16, 17. We have known and believed the love that God hath to us— Herein is our love made perfect— And the more we love Chriſt, the ſtronger we ſhall be to ſuffer for Chriſt. Cant. 8.6, 7. Love is ſtrong as death— Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it.

3. Get and keep a lively hope of eternal life and glory, for this will be a wonderfull ſupport to you in your greateſt perſecutions. This cauſed our Lord Jeſus to endure the pain, and the ſhame of the Croſs with much chearfulneſs. Heb. 12.2. Who for the joy that was ſet before him, endured the Croſs, deſpiſing the ſhame, and is ſet down at the Right hand of the Throne of God. The having the joys of Heaven in his thoughts cauſed him to endure the pain, and make light of the ſhame of the croſs. This cauſed the Apoſtles to glory and triumph in the midſt of their troubles. Rom. 5.2, 3. —And rejoyce in hope of the glory of God; And not only ſo, but we glory in Tribulations alſo. The reſpect which Moſes had to the recompence p. 160of reward in the other World, carryed him with chearfulneſs through his great ſufferings. Heb. 11.24, 25, 26. The hope of Salvation is by the Apoſtles called an helmet. 1 Theſ. 5.8. Putting on the breast-plate of Faith and Love, and for an helmet the hope of Salvation. The helmet preſerves the head in ſafety, as long as we keep on this helmet, as long as we keep our hope of Salvation, we are in a ſafe condition.

4. If you would go chearfully through all your perſecutions, get and exerciſe the graces of Faith and Patience, for they are of ſingular uſe in an evil day. Rev. 13.7, 10. And it was given to him to make war with the Saints, and to overcome them— Here is the patience and the faith of the Saints. When the beaſt maketh war with the Saints, and overcomes them, that is, God permits him to kill and ſlay as Conquerors thoſe that they have overcome, then is a time when there is great need, great uſe of Faith and Patience. I ſhall ſpeak diſtinctly to both theſe graces.

1. Get and exerciſe Faith; Faith is the moſt uſefull, moſt neceſſary piece of the Spiritual Armour in an evil day, and therefore we are called upon above all to take the ſhield of Faith, becauſe thereby we ſhall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one; Eph. 6.16. Above all taking the ſhield of Faith, wherewith ye ſhall be able to quench all the fiery p. 161darts of the wicked. Fiery darts are the moſt dangerous. moſt deſtructive temptations, and containeth both inward luſts, whereby the heart is as it were ſet on fire, — and fiery tryals which are ſharpeſt to the outward man, now theſe are all quenched by the ſhield of Faith. Let me ſhew you how you ſhould uſe this ſhield, how you ſhould exerciſe your Faith, when you meet with fiery tryals.

1. Have Faith in Gods preſence, believe that God is and will be with you, according to his promiſe, when you paſs through the fire and through the waters. Iſa. 43.2. For Faith in Gods preſence will carry us comfortably through our greateſt tryals. Act. 2.25.26. I foreſaw the Lord always before my face, for he is at my right hand, that I ſhould not be moved, therefore did my heart rejoyce, and my tongue was glad. To confirm your Faith that you ſhall have Gods preſence with you in your perſecutions, ſee ſuch Scriptures as theſe. 2 Cor. 4.9. Perſecuted but not forſaken. Jer. 20.11. Joh. 16.32. 2 Tim. 4.17, 18.

2. Have Faith in Gods aſſiſtance; Believe that God according to his promiſe for Chriſts ſake will help ſtrengthen and uphold you. Iſa. 41.10. The believing that we ſhall have Gods help, will put great courage into our Souls. Iſa. 50.7. For the Lord God will help me, therefore ſhall I not be confounded, therefore have I ſet my face like a flint, and I know that I ſhall not be aſhamed.

p. 1623. Have Faith in that glorious and unſpeakable recompence of reward which God will give you, if you continue faithfull unto the death, in a ſuffering day. Rev. 2.10. Be thou faithfull unto the death, and I will give thee a crown of Life. 2 Tim. 2.11, 12. It is a faithfull ſaying — If we ſuffer we ſhall alſo reign with him. The believing and looking at our eternal glory, which we ſhall have after we have ſuffered for Chriſt, will keep us from fainting under the Croſs. 2 Cor. 4.16, 18. For which cauſe we faint not— while we look at the things which are not ſeen, which are Eternal.

2. As you ſhould get and exerciſe Faith, ſo you ſhould exerciſe patience alſo; For patience is a very uſefull and neceſſary grace in times of perſecution. Heb. 10.32, 36. Ye endured a great ſight of afflictions— ye have need of patience. Luk. 21.12, 19. They ſhall lay their hands on you, and perſecute you, delivering you up to the Synagogues, and into priſons, being brought before Kings and Rulers for my names ſake— In your patience poſſeſs ye your Souls. If any ſay, it is true, Patience is needfull and uſefull in a ſuffering day.

But how ſhall we attain to patience in times of great perſecution.

A. 1. Conſider the patience of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt in all his ſufferings, that will learn us patience in all our diſtreſſes. Heb. 12.1, 2, 3. Let us run with patience the race that is p. 163ſet before us, looking to Jeſus — Who for the joy that was ſet before him, endured the croſs, deſpiſing the ſhame— For conſider him that endured ſuch contradiction of ſinners againſt himſelf, leaſt ye be wearied and faint in your minds. The looking to Jeſus, and conſidering the dignity of his perſon, the greatneſs of his ſufferings, and the patience with which he endured the pain and the ſhame of the Croſs, and the contradiction of ſinners againſt himſelf, will help us to run our race with Patience, and keep us from being wearied and fainting in our minds. An inſtance of the patience of Chriſt under his ſufferings, which all things conſidered, were greater than the ſufferings of any of the Martyrs; We have Iſa. 53.7. He was oppreſſed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth, he is brought as a Lamb to the ſlaughter, and as a ſheep before the ſhearers is dumb, ſo he opened not his mouth. And as the example of Chriſt, ſo alſo the example of the Prophets and other Saints and Servants of God, may cauſe us to be patient under our perſecutions. It hath been the lot of the beſt men that ever lived, even of the Prophets, to be perſecuted for Righteouſneſs ſake. Mat. 5.12. So perſecuted they the Prophets. Luk. 13.34. O Jeruſalem, Jeruſalem, which killeſt the Prophets, and ſtoneſt them that are ſent unto thee. Jam. 5.10. Take my brethren the Prophets, who have ſpoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of ſuffering affliction and patience.

p. 1642. Conſider the deſert of ſin. They which ſuffer moſt in this Life, ſuffer far leſs than their ſins deſerve; How great were Jobs afflictions of all ſorts? yet they were leſs than his ſins. Job 11.6. Know therefore that God exacteth of thee, leſs than thine iniquity deſerveth. Ezra 9.14. compared with Lam. 1.12. No ſorrows like what the Jews met with, yet were they puniſhed leſs than their ſins deſerved. This ſhould ſilence all complaints. Lam. 3.39. Our ſins have deſerved the Torments of Hell. Rom. 6.23. The wages of ſin is death. The ſecond as well as the firſt death. Shall we not patiently ſuffer any Torments in this Life for Righteouſneſs ſake, ſeeing our ſins have deſerved the Torments of Hell for ever.

5. The blood of Chriſt, and the word of God, and preferring the glory of God above our lives, are great helps to a chearfull bearing and overcoming all perſecutions. When the Dragon makes war with the Saints, we may ſee by what means they overcome him. Rev. 12.11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their Teſtimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death. Here are 3 means by which they overcame the accuſer of the brethren.

1. By the blood of the Lamb, that is, by the blood of Chriſt, who is the Lamb of God that taketh away the ſin of the world. Now the blood of Chriſt helps us to overcome.

p. 165(1.) As it juſtifieth us, and takes away all our guilt, and reconciles us to God. Rom. 5.9, 10. Joh. 1.7. For when ſin is pardoned there is comfort in the greateſt ſufferings. Mat. 9.2. And when God is reconciled there is a Triumphing over all enemies. Rom. 8.31.

(2.) As it hath purchaſed for us victory over all the adverſaries of our Salvation. Col. 2.15.

(3.) As it gives us ſolid grounds to hope with boldneſs to enter into Eternal Life. Heb. 10.19.

(4.) As he hath left us an example to ſuffer for him, who ſuffered for us. 1 Pet. 2.21. 1 Pet. 4.1.

2. By the word of their Teſtimony, that is, the word of God which they had owned, profeſſed, gave Teſtimony unto in the worſt of times. Now the word helps us to overcome.

(1.) As it comforts us in all our conflicts. Pſal. 119.49, 50, 94, 161, 162.

(2.) As it reveals and promiſeth glorious rewards to them that overcome. Rev. Ch. 2. Ch. 3. Ch. 21.7.