The Voice of the Rod, Synopsis (5 of 5)

The Voice of the Rod · Synopsis (5 of 5)

p. 231There is nothing more natural, and yet nothing more dangerous, than to hoiſe the wide fails of hope in the brunt of a Storm, when the ſure Anchor of a humble and recumbent faith were more proper and ſafe. Certainly, my Brethren, great are our loſſes through our groundleſs and carnal hopes. 'tis not a ſpiritual Object that will make a ſpiritual hope. To hope for the Redemption and Peace of Sion: The glory and enlargement of the Kingdome of Chriſt, and the return of the Captivity of his people: Theſe and ſuch like, we would fain poſſeſſe our Hopes of: And hope being once an end, ſeems long till it be anſwered; at length impatient of delaies,Pro. 13.12Prov 13:12 (for Hope deferred maketh the heart ſick) up ſhe climbs up into the Watch-tower, and there conſults with Reaſon, expounds and applies the Promiſes with their own private Gloſſes and irregular Appropriations, preſcribing or predicting Times, Places, and Methods; and all the while our perſonal Reformation is neglected, God provoked, and our Hopes deceived. Sure you would account it a ſtrange unheardof madneſs for a Town that is cloſely beſieged, to throw aſide their Arms, and to run together in Heaps, and begin to talk of certain old Predictions and Prophecies of Relief, though utterly p. 232uncertain, and improbable as to their preſent Caſe, till the Enemy break in, and ſpoyl them at their pleaſure. Oh that this were not too much the temper of the ſpirits of theſe times! Nay, I would to God, there were none of thoſe among us that make the People vain, when they ſhould have stood in Gods Counſel, and cauſed his people to hear his words; then they ſhould have turned them from their evill way, and from the evil of their doings. Jer. 23.16, 22. For my part, I cannot think that God, hath yet done with us, or that the bittereſt Ingredient is not yet behind. Surely England is not yet ripe, nor fit for the merciemercy ſhe gapes after. I hope God will not leave all theſe ſpots in us, after that he hath done with us. Look for other manner of Taske yet then ever have been impoſed. Theſe, truſt are ſome of the Death pangs, the parting ſprawls of the Beaſt, which doubeleſs will be ſtrong as farr as they reach.

Bit you will ſay, Obj. Nay, but it is comfort that we want moſt in ſuch times as theſe. Gi… ſtrong drink to him that is ready to periſh, and wine to thoſe that be of heavy hearts, Pro…. 31.6.

I know, Anſ. you had rather be on the Hedg d…ying, than under the heavy Hammers the Mill a cleanſing. But God forbid the I ſhould any way weaken your Chriſtian confidence or Comforts, or grieve the ſpirits who God would have revived. Repentance, in … Goſpel-length and latitude of it, is a very ha… p. 233and diſpleaſing work to fleſh and blood; and a thouſand ſlights and evaſions will be had to mitigate, diſſemble, or avoid it: And I fear that ſuch kinde of Hopes may have much of this anti-evangelical influence. As long as we are unwarrantably looking that God ſhould build us a Bridge, we will never be perſwaded to take the Water, till extream force and unavoidable neceſſity drive us. Oh take heed you do not carnallize your Hopes! The Hopes of the world are empty hopes. Hopes and nothing elſe, mere Hopes. Sin hath cut off the Entail from the owners of them, and ſhame will certainly enjoy their next Reverſion. They may goe big-bellied a while: But at laſt, it all miſcarries: The wind they were ſwollen with, will turn to a whirlwind of divine wrath in the end. Though they paint and ruffle and trim it up, and boaſt themſelves of great things: Yet, believe it, all they can do is in their Mouths, and all they are worth is on their Backs: They are broken, flattering, lying, dying, killing Hopes. Oh beware then how you perch your ſelves on ſuch a Bough, as you are warn'd will break under you!

4. Watch againſt the Scorus of the world. Though you cannot watch to prevent them, yet watch to bear them, and not only ſo, but to improve them too. Bleſſed are ye when men ſhall revile, you and perſecute you, and ſhall ſay all manner of evil againſt you falsly for my ſake, Matth. 5.11. No wonder if fools blaſpheme. Alas!Iud. v. 10.Judg 5:10 they ſpeak evil of what they p. 234know not. But wiſdome is juſtified of her children. 'Tis but a little while you are like toly under theſe Scorns. You ſhall ſhortly hear them change their Note. When the ends of us both ſhall be compared together, and the definitive Sentence of a juſt and impartial Judg ſhall have convinc't them of their madneſs; You ſhall then mount above their reach, and be as much their envy, as now you are their ſcorn. Come ye bleſſed, and Go ye curſed will ſurely bring them to their right witts, and a more true and honourable opinion of you.

5. Watch againſt the Perſecutions of the world. Here is work for your Patience, & for your Prudence too. For Patience, to ſuffer what you cant prevent, and for Prudence, to prevent what you may foreſee and warrantably eſcape. Let not your Imprudence wrong your Patience, nor your Impatience force, your Prudence. Your liberties & liycs are dear to Chriſt, as well as to your ſelves; you are as the Apple of his eye, Zech. 2.8. Oh take heed then you do not fooliſhly expoſe the Apple of Chriſts eye to every thorn that would pierce it, as long as you may avoid it without diſhonour.

'Tis true, the Juſt ſhall live by his Faith. Heb. 2.4. but not aband on his Reaſon: he will truſt God;Pſal. 91.11 12.Ps 91:11 but he will not tempt him. Though Angels are charged concerning him, and in their hands they ſhall bear him up; Yet it is written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Matth. 10.22. ve. 16. vir. 17.Matt 10:22Matth. 4.6, 7. He that hath ſaid. Fea… not them which kill the body: hath alſo ſaid in the ſame Place, Beware of men. And, … p. 235wiſe as Serpents. But, I hope, I need not uſe much ado with you here; Self-preſervation is a Principle of Nature. But watch your Patience rather, how to bear that which you are called unto. And ſhould I tell you all your encouragements hereunto; I muſt ſet open the very heart of Chriſt, and the Gates of Heaven to you, which is a task too hard and too high for a poor finite, ſhallow, mortal Creature to do.

6. Take heed of the Cares of the world. Thoſe choaking things; Matth. 13.22. The care of the world, and the deceitfulneſs of riches choak the word. They will choak your graces, and your comforts too. I would have you without carefulneſs, 1 Cor. 7.32. How did Chriſt labour to beat his Diſciples out of this! Matth. 6.17. Which of you, by taking thought, can add one cubit to his Stature? What have you gotten by all your Immoderate cares? Han't you found them to be unſatiable, …exing, tormenting things? Whoſoever drink…eth, of this water ſhall thirſt again, Joh. 4.13. Have your cares, ever filled your Bellies? Or are they ever like to do it? Han't you bin as when a hungry man dreameth, Iſa. 29.8.Isa 29:8and behold he …ateth, but he awaketh and his Soul is empty. Beſides; they are entangling things, the Cords and Fetters of the Heart, 2 Tim. 2.4. Nay, let me tell thee. Chriſtian, theſe ſinful cares …re the Inſtruments of Petſecution and cruelty; …he ſpears in the heart of Chriſt, and Thorns …n thy own Soul. What Fires and Feudes do they kindle in your Affections? What ſhuffling p. 236and partiality do they introduce on your Duties-Certainly I cannot tell you the thouſandth part of the miſchiefs of theſe poyſoned Arrows, theſe peſtilent, ſordid, Chriſt perſecuting, heart-enſnaring cares. Nor can I ſtand at preſent to enlarge as I thought to have done.

5. Laſtly, watch againſt Death. Not only agaiſt the Stroak of Death, which is common to all; but againſt the Sting of Death. Le… not Death find you out of the way of Life, no… out of a lively activity in that way. Wait with Patience till your Change come,Iob. 14.14.Job 14:14 which ſhall change your Patience to poſſeſſion Le… not Death be in your Mouths only, but in your Hearts; that both heart and mouth may joyn in your eternal Triumph. This is you laſt Enemy, overcome this, and you ſhall wear the Crown to all eternity, and ſet up your everlaſting Trophies in the Throne of your God. Watch, that Death find you no… onelyonly in the Vineyard, but in your work, tha… you may dye, not only in Chriſt, but in Comfort too. Bleſsed is that ſervant whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find ſo doing, Luk. 12.43. Oh Chriſtians! When God ſhall call you out of your hardeſt work, and ſnatch you, as it were, out of the midſt of crue ſtorms: When he ſhall break in through you Priſon-doors, and lead you out by the hand or ſend his fiery Chariots, to convey you from your glorious Martyrdom to your moſt gloriou… Manſions: Oh! conceive then, if you can with what in effable compaſsions will he la… p. 237you up in the victorious arms of his Love, and place you in his eternal Reſt? oh! hold out …ith and Patience, one hour, one year, one …attel more; For yet a little while, and he …at ſhall come, will come, and will not tarry, …eb. 10.37.

Thus I have told you, what it is, you are ſpecially concern'd to watch againſt. I hope here are but few, among Chriſtians, that are queſtion the reality, or neceſſity of ſuch … Duty. Yet to keep you the better waking, … this ſad, and diſmal night, when ſo many …f our Watchmen are forſaking the Walls, or …llen aſleep: I ſhall propoſe theſe five quickning Motives.

1. They are Enemies that you are to Watch againſt. Such as will be ſure to do you … miſchief, if poſſible: they never intended you …ny good. It never goes well with Sin, longer …han it is feeding on the blood of your Souls, and the ſpoils of your Duties. Oh, how would …he Devil rejoice, to ſee you falling, like Starrs, from Heaven, and God blotting your Names but of the Book of Life! Nothing ſtands more directly oppoſite to your peace and happineſs, …han Self. How full is the World of venom and …nmity! and Death waits but for the word, to …trike his laſt blow at you, to conſummate …our eternal Ruin. Oh, my Brethren! you …hat have to do with enemies, had need be watchful.

2. They are Mortal Enemies; Such as thirſt p. 238for your blood. The wages of Sin is death, Rom. 6.23. What doth the Labourer look, and long for, but his wages? oh! how hard is Sin at its daily work, to earn the undoing wages of thine eternal death! 'tis that it looks, and longs for.1 Pet. 5.8.1 Pet 5:8 What is it the Devil is ſeeking after, and hunting up and down the world for, but to devour? What is that Impoſthume of Self doing within, but conſpiring thy deſtruction? How wide doth the World gape upon thee,1 Tim. 6.9.1 Tim 6:9 to drown thee in deſtruction, and perdidion? As for Death, it carries mortality, and diſſolution, in the very name of it. Oh! what need have we of wary ſteps! Were ever Creatures in ſuch hazzard? Well might St. Paul cri… out, Wretched man, that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the Body of this death? Rom. 7.24.

3. They are Spiritual Enemies, and therefore the more dangerous. We wreſtle not againſt fleſh and blood, but against Principalities and Powers, and againſt the Rulers of the darkneſs of this world, againſt ſpiritual wickedneſs in high places, Eph. 6.12. Spiritual, on a double account; in their nature, and in their operation. They are of a ſpiritual, and inviſible nature, and are not the objects of external ſenſe, which is the eye we are wont, and able to judge by: Theſe are enemies that are all waies on the blind ſide of us; they wound us and we are not aware. Their operations are alſo ſpiritual; they work on us like an infectious Air; we will not believe, but that we are p. 239well enough, till we drop down dead where we are going; and therefore 'tis call'd the Plague of the heart; which is oftentimes undiſcernable, till it be incurable. How cloſely doth Self ſteal in betwixt Chriſt and our hearts? How deceitfully doth the World charm our affections? What ſecret paſſages and trap-doors, hath Satan, at every Pore of hearts? Oh, my Brethren! We have ſpiritual enemies to deal with; our Watch is eſpecially within our own walls.

4. They are Conſtant Enemies: Such as will find you work as long as you live. This comes to paſs, from their contrary, and implacable nature; Light and Darkneſs can never be …econcil'd. St. Paul could not ſing his Palinody, that his Fight was over, and his Courſe finiſhed, till the time of his departure came, 2 Tim. 4.6, 7. Thy Watch-work, Chriſtian, is thy Life's-work. Our Enemies ſeem to enjoy our Promiſes here, Pſal. 37.24. Though he fall, he ſhall not be utterly caſt down. Oh! which of our fallen Luſts, can we ſay, is utterly caſt down? Every Conqueſt produceth a new Combat; and our very Victories oftentimes, occaſion our ſadder Loſſes.

5. Laſtly, They are Mighty Enemies: Such is we cannot, in our own ſtrength, ſtand before. If a Lust do but becken at us, we pre…ently yield. If the World do but frown on us, we …remble. As Self will have it, ſo the Law muſt …and. If Satan turn the Key of a temptation upon us, we are his Cloſe Priſoners. If Death p. 240once ſtrike, we fall. Had we not a ſtrong God to flie to; a ſure word of Promiſe; an impregnable Refuge in Chriſt; a mighty Advocate with the Father, who is able to ſave to the uttermoſt; an irreſiſtable Help in the Spirit, to bruiſe Satan under us. Were not the Weapons of our Warfare mighty through God, 2 Cor. 10.4.2 Cor 10:4theſe ſtrong holds would never come down; our victories would be, according to our ſtrength, very ſmall. Therefore, what you want in Power, labour to make up in Care. O let the ſenſe of your Weakneſs, double your Watchfulneſs! that you may be able to ſay with the Apoſtle, Phil. 4.13. I can do all things, [or ſuffer any thing] through Chriſt, which ſtrengtheneth me.

Thus I have laboured, though weakly, yet, I hope faithfully, to interpret the Rod to you. And, oh, that now I could prevail with you to lay theſe things cloſe on your bare Conſciences! Commune with your own hearts, and let your ſpirits make diligent ſearch. Now ſet about your mourning, repenting, reſolving, reforming-work. God hath us in his Furnace, and his Jealouſie is ſmoaking againſt us. He hath caſt our Liberties, our Peace, our Health, our Hopes, nay, his own Ordinances, and Sacred Inſtitutions, the holy Veſſels of his own Houſe, as Wood under us, for the Fire of his Diſpleaſure to heat us with: oh! when ſhall we begin to melt, that we may once be capable of being caſt into a new Mould! oh! when will thoſe hard hearts break? when will thoſe p. 241ſtout hearts yield? when will thoſe ſtubborn wills comply? Shall we ſtick in the Birth, till we die there? ſhall we tempt God on the wheel, to caſt us off, as a Lump, that will never …ome to any thing? Shall we even force him …o throw us and Idolaters, us and Hypocrites, and the prophane, incorrigible, and abominable Scum of the earth, to the Dunghil at laſt together? The Lord forbid! O the God of Heaven forbid it!

2. In the next place, This Rod hathalſo a voice to the Enemies of God; and theſe are …ther open Foes, or falſe Friends. I ſhall joyn …oth together, as Chriſt hath done, Matth. …2.30. He that is not with me, is againſt …e; and he that gathereth not with me, ſcat…reth abroad.

Theſe five things would I tell them from God, hight I be freely ſuffer'd to do my Meſſage … them: And with theſe five Bells I ſhall …ing the doleful Knell of God's, and his Churches Enemies.

1. It aſſures them, that God is not ſuch an …e as they take him be. Theſe things thou …ſt done, and I kept ſilence: thou thoughteſt …at I was altogether ſuch an one as thy ſelf: …t I will reprove thee, and ſet them in order …fore thine eyes, Pſal. 50.21. Alas, Sinner! …ou art miſtaken in God; though he keep …ence awhile, he will not keep ſilence for …er; he will find a time to ſpeak, when thou …alt ſtand ſpeechleſs before him. Though his …ſe Providence, and thy curſed Projects, ſeem p. 242to joyn iſſue, yet aſſure thy ſelf, their diſparit… and incongruity, will ſhortly appear to th… ſhame and aſtoniſhment. I could tell them in what reſpects they are miſtaken, in the… thoughts of God, [if God be ever in the… thoughts.]

1. They are miſtaken in his Holineſs. Th… is that, which ſeems to be principally aimed at i… the fore-cited Text. After God hath charge… them with Incorrigibleneſs, from ver. 17. with Theft, and Adultery, and Falſe-witneſs, unto ver. 21. Thou thoughteſt, ſaies God, that I ha… been ſuch an one too; as wicked, and as vile, a thy ſelf: That I had lov'd thy Drunkenneſs thy Oaths, thy Blaſphemies, and Uncleanneſs thine Idolatry, and carnal, gawdy, Will worſhip, thy Crueltie, and Oppreſſion of m… People. Becauſe I kept ſilence, and wink'd a theſe things; becauſe ye were become Such Prieſt, and ſuch People, ye thought it had been Even ſuch God too: That I had been as great a… enemy to Holineſs as you; as implacably be… to ruin the Intereſt of my Son Chriſt, as you were; that I had divorced my own Spirit, and exchang'd natures with your Father the Devil and yielded up my Scepter and Kingdom unto him, and become altogether ſuch a one as you… You thought, it had been as much my envy, … ſee men faithfully labouring to make their Ca… ling and Election ſure, as it was yours: tha… their Faith, and Humilitie, and Self-denial, an… Patience, and Conſtancy, and Reſolution, an… Heavenly-mindedneſs, had been the only thing p. 243… had been offended with, and reſolv'd to revenge, with all poſſible Indignation, as you …ere. The time cometh, ſaies Chriſt, that who…ever killeth you, ſhall think that he doth God …ervice, Joh. 16.2. But, how is it poſſible …ey ſhould ever think ſo? Why? Theſe things …ill they do unto you, becauſe they have not …nown the Father, nor me, ver. 3. It proceeds from their wilful miſtake. They are not aware …at our God is the Holy one of Iſrael. Pſal. 68.35. Exod. 1….11.Ps 68:35Exod 1:11That is …rrible out of his holy places. A God glorious … holineſs. Alas, Sinner! God is never the …holier, for that he bears with thy unholineſs; …l theſe thy miſtakes will ſhortly be corrected … another world.

2. They are miſtaken in his Juſtice,— I knew thee, that thou art an hard man, ſaies the unfaithful ſervant, Math. 25.24. foreign, a ſhrewd, difficult man to pleaſe, …aping where thou haſt not ſown, and gathering where thou haſt not ſtrawed. Such are the …ard thoughts of the poor, blind, prejudic'd …orld. They think it an impoſſible matter to talk by God's preſcribed Rule, unto well…aſing; that, walking by the Spirit, is but …ancy, or Schiſm, and therefore better let all …one. They hope, whatever they are told on …e contrary, that God will pity them on their …eath-beds; that his Juſtice will not be ſo …exorable, but that they may be heard, when …ey call upon him. Indeed, were God ſuch a …udge, as they conceit him to be; Were he who …des the Circuits of Heaven, a reſpecter of Perſons, p. 244Fallible, and Mutable, of the Generation of thoſe that ride the Circuits of the Earth, i… might fare better with them than it is like to do. But, alas! a few daies more will open their eyes, and then they ſhall ſee what a Juſtice that is that dwells in Heaven. Juſtice and Judgment are the Habitation of his Throne, Pſal. 89.14.

3. They are miſtaken in his Mercy. They have heard, that he is a God of great Mercy, and thereupon are bold, that they may perſwade him to what they will, at laſt. They have heard, that he is ready to forgive; a God, gracious and merciful, and that keepeth not ange… for ever. Pſal. 73.11.Ps 73:11They believe, that his merciemercy is all ſufficient, and that he will not take any great notice of thoſe things, that are ſo far beneath him; Such are the thoughts that keep their carnal hopes alive, and pleaſe their beguile… ſouls with a Fools-Paradiſe. Indeed, were God as mutable, as he is merciful, they had ſom… ground for their hopes. It may be, ſome … them have laid their heads on this Pillow, Rom. 11.32. For God hath concluded them all … unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all or on Rom. 5.18. Therefore, as by the offence of one, Judgment came upon all men, un… condemnation: even ſo, by the righteouſneſs … one, the free gift came upon all men, un… Juſtification of life: or on ſome ſuch like place and there have dreamt of an univerſal Redemption; and by this means, all their care … over. But, they may know, when they awake p. 245nay, to their terrour, they ſhall know, if they awake not, before they awake to Judgment; …ow God will hav mercy upon all, and yet they left out. Abſtract the conſideration of …ercy, from this preſent life, wherein all are …artakers of the riches of his merciemercy in common, and all things happen alike, as to outward appearance, to all; and then I'le tell them, that God will have mercy, ſupra omnes, but not ſupra ſingulos: upon all ſorts, or ſome of all …orts, Gentiles as well as Jews; but not upon …very one of either; Election is but of ſome, and …ot of all. But I will not ſtand here, to confute … unreaſonable, and anti-Scriptural an aſſertion, ſeeing this Dagon hath been already battered to the ground, by far abler Engins than …ine: The day is at hand, that will for ever …cide the Controverſie, and unravel all thoſe Querks of the Devils knitting.

Few there are, but will confeſs, (though they …re but half-convinc'd) that there is a Hell, and …at it is prepar'd for ſome, whom God hath …preſly condemn'd in his Word: Hypocrites …nd unbelievers, they acknowledge, are gon in …e Forlorn hope.1 Tim. 5.24.1 Tim 5:24 Some mens ſins are open …fore-hand, going before to Judgment. Hy…crites, ſuch as their Father hath taught them …re-baptize with the Nick-name of Phanaticks, …r the names are ſynonymous; and vnbelie…ers, ſuch as can't believe, as they do, and …uzzle their Conſciences, as they can. Well …en, Sinner, Let me reaſon with thee, from …y own Conceſſions; If Hypocrites and Unbelievers p. 246are the undoubted Heirs of Hell, I w… tell thee, (not to ſtand on the Juſtification … any Party) who are their Coheirs; Matth. 2… from ver. 48. to the end. The evil ſervant that ſaith in his heart, my Lord delayeth h… coming. He that lives in the height of his ſecurity, that thinks 'tis time enough yet to provide for another world: And ſhall begin to ſmi… his Fellow-ſervants. Either with the ſlander and reproaches of the tongue, or with the fi… of wickedneſs. And to eat and drink with the drunken. The Lord of that ſervant ſhall come as ſecure as he is, in a day when he looketh … for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of and ſhall cut him aſunder, and appoint him … portion with the Hypocrites; there ſhall … weeping, and gnaſhing of teeth. And Luk. 1….46. He will cut him aſunder, his Soul from his Body, and both Body and Soul from all h… worldly comforts and hopes, he will irreſiſtibly, and irrecoverably deſtroy him, and appoi… him his portion with vnbelievers. If the unb… I eving are condemn'd, then pray ſee, who a… caſt with them, and muſt partake with them … the Execution; Rev. 21.8. The fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and mu… derers, and whoremongers, and ſorcerers, a… idolaters, and all lyars. If you queſtion … truth of this, look back but to the fifth verſe, a… you ſhall ſee it ſeal'd with an expreſs Authori… from Heaven: And he ſaid unto me, Writ… for theſe words are true and faithful. Know … not, that the unrighteous ſhall not inherit t… p. 247Kingdom of God? Be not deceived, neither Fornicators, nor Idolaters, nor Adulterers, nor Effeminate, nor Abuſers of themſelves with Mankind, nor Thieves, nor Covetous, nor Drunkards, nor Revilers, nor Extortioners, ſhall inherit the Kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. Nay, Fleſh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 15.50. This cannot be underſtood literally, as if our Souls only were capable of eternal Salvation, and not our Bodies, which is contrary to the Apoſtle's Argument; Contrary to one great Deſign of Chriſts Incarnation; nay, contrary to viſible, and ocular Demonſtration; For Chriſt himſelf hath viſibly aſcended, and, in the names, and behalf of his Myſtical Members, hath entred with real Flesh and Blood, and is inheriting the eternal Kingdom of his Father: But the ſame Apoſtle particularly explains what he means by Flesh and Bloud, Gal. 5.19, 20, 21. Now the works of the flesh are manifeſt, which are theſe; Adultery, Fornication, vncleanneſs, Laſciviouſneſs, Idolatry, Witchcraft, Hatred, Variance, Emulations, Wrath, Strife, Seditions, Hereſies, Envying, Murthers, Drunkenneſs, Revellings, and ſuch like; as I have told you in time paſt, that they which do ſuch things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. And now, Sinner; Canſt thou waſh thine hands in innocency, from all theſe? If thou thinkeſt thou art no Hypocrite, nor Unbeliever, (though both might eaſily be prov'd againſt thee) none of the Heirs of the Kingdom of p. 248Darkneſs, yet art thou none of theſe Co-heirs? Surely, thy Converſation can never ſo fouly bely thy Condition. Alas, poor ſelf-deceived wretch! Doſt thou think to meet thy Hopes and Comforts on the other ſide of the Threſhold? I cannot but pity thee, to think how I ſhall ſee thee look, and lament thy loſs, when I ſhall meet thee at Judgment, when God ſhall make a Believer of thee, to thine everlaſting Sorrow. When thou ſhalt ſee that he was in earneſt, when he ſaid, He that made them, will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them, will shew them no favour, Iſa. 27.11. Though he be a merciful God, yet thou ſhalt then know, that he is as juſt as he is merciful.

4. They are miſtaken in his Patience. They know no difference between his Patience, and his Approbation: Where is the promiſe of his coming? for ſince the Fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation, 2 Pet. 3.4. This is the Generation of Rational Brutes, that can ſee no higher, than they can reach with the Pole of Senſe and Reaſon. As long as it goes well with them in this world, they little trouble themſelves about another. The time of Gods Patience, is the time of their Preſumption. Deſpiſeſt thou the riches of his goodneſs, and forbearance, and long-ſuffering, not knowing, that the goodneſs of God leadeth thee to Repentance? Rom. 2.4. A…, Sinner! If thou could'ſt, if thou would'ſt but believe, and conſider this! Is God patient with thee? and doſt thou think he will be ſo p. 249for ever? Is thy repentance that which his Patience is waiting for? Is God but looking one day, and one year after another, when thou wilt turn? Is he patiently waiting at thy Ale-houſe or Tavern-doors, longing for an opportunity, as it were, to find thee ſober, that he might treat with his Prodigal about his everlaſting Peace? Doth he put up and paſs by all thy ſcorns and contempt of his condeſcending Grace, and willing to forgive all if he could but perſwade thee to turn unto him? O ſhameleſs wretch! Is it conſiſtent with the glory and honour of a God thus to become himſelf; nay, thus to humble himſelf with duſt and ashes, for ever? In what fury will ſuch Patience end at laſt? oh how will thoſe Items burn in thy Soul, when Conſcience ſhall have the reading of them in Hell? when thoſe Inventories of wrath, which thou art now treaſuring up in this the time of Gods patience, ſhall be brought forth in the day of his wrath, and revelation of his righteous Judgment! o…, if words would prevail, how could I let my Pen run here! But alas! Theſe Hammers can do nothing, till God ſtrike with them.

5. They are miſtaken in Gods Delight in, and Care of his people. Haman little thought that poor Mordecai, for whom he had prepared the Gallows, had been ſo high in the Kings Books. He was thinking in his heart, To whom will the King delight to do honour more than to my ſelf? Hest. 6.6. But the p. 250Kings thoughts were farr otherwiſe. Methink theſe are the very thoughts and carriage of the Haman's of our Times. Whom doth God delight to dignifie more than them? Who are advancing themſelves on the Icarian wings of begged honour? A few Mordedai's they are ailing at, who (though they deny them no civil reverence) yet know not how to ſtoop and bow and cringe to their Idols. Theſe are therefore Populus Dei occidendus. A certain people, ſayes he, ſcattered abroad among the People in all the Provinces of thy Kingdome, and their lawes are diverſe from all people, neither keep they the Kings lawes (a Politique pretence) therefore it is not for the Kings profit to ſuffer them. If it pleaſe the King; let it be written that they may be deſtroyed; and I will pay ten thouſand Talents of ſilver to the hands of thoſe that have the charge of the Buſineſs, to bring it into the Kings treaſuries. Oh praepoſterous courſe to enrich Kings! Little did he think what his deſigns lay in travail with. Oh that all thoſe that are lifting up their hands againſt their fellow-ſervants would conſider this! What if the King of Heaven ſhould call for his book of Records, which he hath written, Mal. 3.16. with what Heſter would they intercede? Our God hath ingaged not to forget our Work and labour of love. Heb. 6.10. To recompenſe tribulation to them that trouble us, 2 Theſ. 1.6. I intend not to tell them, all that ſpiritual refuge and divine ſtrength we have to truſt to; p. 251onelyonly let them know, that we have a righteous, Almighty, Faithful, Gracious and Wiſe God, and a ſure word of Promiſe to anchor on: And we know that Mordecai ſhall one day ride in Honour and Triumph, when Haman ſhall hang on his own Gallows. I know 'tis in vain to tell the Wolfe now that they are the Sheep and not the Goats he is worrying. Therefore I ſhall leave it to the Deciſion of the great Day. And, ſinner, let me tell thee, when God ſhall pull his Lambs out of thy teeth, and rake their pretious bones out of thy Den, thou ſhalt then know, to thine eternal miſery, whoſe and what blood it is that thou art guilty of. When Chriſt ſhall up and tell thee,Math 25.45.Matt 25:45 In as much as ye did it, or did it not, unto one of the least of theſe, ye did it, or did it not, unto me. When he ſhall ſhew thee, that every ſtroak lighted on the very apple of His eye: That every drop of blood thou haſt drawn from them came from his heart; that every Penny thou didſt unjuſtly exact from them, thou ſtoleſt out of his purſe. That when thou didſt impriſon them, thou didſt impriſon him. Oh! theſe things will ſurely trouble thy minde another day.

6. They are miſtaken in God's glorious Title of Hearing Prayer. Pſal. 65.2. I ſaid not unto the ſeed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain, Iſa. 45.19. Let the mighty Nimrods of the world know then that the people of God are not ſo naked and helpleſs, as they take them to be. To ſpeak with holy reverence, yet in Scripture-Dialect, Prayer hath the command of Heaven, Iſa. 45.11. Ask me of things to come, concerning my p. 252Sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. But alas! Things that are inviſible to carnal ſenſe, ſeem incredible to carnal reaſon. Yet, ſeem it never ſo incredible, what God hath promiſed and his people ever experienced, we dare, we muſt, we do believe. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles, Pſal. 34.17. I cryed unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy Hill. Pſal. 3.4. Here was his experience as a witneſs of Gods truth. Therefore I will not be afraid of ten thouſands of people that have ſet themſelves againſt me round about. Pſal. 3.6. Marvail not then, ye Sonnes of Pride, that we fear none of your threatnings. Our God is a God hearing Prayer, and wo be to thoſe that have ſuch a God for their Enemy? The prayers of God's people were wont to be terrible to his Enemies. Exod. 17.11. 2 King. 1.13. In the firſt Reformation of Scotland, it is reported, that the Queen-Mother in her warrs confeſſed that ſhe feared more the faſting and prayer of Knox and his Diſciples, than an Armie of twenty thouſand men. The Prince of Wales being perſwaded to make warr with Henry the 3d. acknowledged that he was more afraid of his Prayers and Alms, than of his Armies. So the Biſhop of Magdeburgs Faſting and Prayer was the terrour of Frederick Elector, of Saxony. But however it be grown leſs terrible now, it is not grown leſs fatal. God is the ſame ſtill, and his Promiſe is the ſame, and his enemies, even p. 253the proudeſt of them, ſhall one day know that he is a God Hearing Prayer. Wo be to thee, Sinner, when God ſhall rain upon thee the tears of his oppreſſed Saints, and wo to thine Houſe, when God ſhall beat upon it with the ſighs and groans of his perſecuted children? Wo to that man by whom the offence cometh.Matth. 18.8.Matt 18:8

7. They are miſtaken in Gods Ends and Deſigns, Howbeit he meaneth not ſo, neither doth his heart think ſo, but it is in his heart to deſtroy and cut off nations, not a few, Iſa. 10.7. God's end is to reform, theirs to deſtroy. But here is our comfort; theſe are but his Executioners, and none of his Jury: God hath not acquainted them with his mind. It is not for them to know what he intends to do with his people. Their wills are none of his Rule, nor are their falſe accuſations any evidence with our Judge. God hath a hook in their Noſtrils, and hath appointed them their bounds. If the pardon come at the very top of the Ladder, the Executioner muſt obey: And if the Judge will that the righteous ſhall be delivered out of trouble, and the wicked come in his ſtead, Pro. 11.8.Prov 11:8his Will muſt ſtand.

2. The ſecond voice of the Rod unto the Inemies, is this. It calls upon them to Conſider, and on conſideration to repent. Methink that Generation is com, or an other well like it, which was ſpoken of under the fourth vial. Rev. 16.9. And men were ſcorched with great heat and blaſphemed the name of God, which hath power ever theſe Plagues, and repented not p. 254to give him glory. Han't the Plagues of God ſcorched us, both at home and abroad, in City and in Country; yet who hath repented to give him Glory? I have but theſe four things at preſent to propoſe to your ſober Confideration, and very briefly.

1. What manner of Perſons are they whom God takes to be his Enemies? Phil. 3.18.19. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the Enemies of the Croſs of Chriſt. Here the Apoſtle complains of Enemies: in the next verſe he deſcribes them, by their way, and by their end. Their way, they walk, a kind of Profeſſors they are; but, their God is their Belly; their Luſt and uncleanneſs. Their Glory is in their ſhame: either paſſively, their Glory ſhall end in ſhame, or actively, they glory in that which is the ſhame of their profeſsion. Who mind earthly things; Carnal men, carnal in their affections, and in their converſations: to which anſwers Rom. 8.7. The carnal mind is enmity againſt God. And their end is deſtruction. The end of theſe things is death. Chap. 6.21. Again, Luk. 19.27. But thoſe mine enemies—bring them hither, and ſlay them before me. Here's their Doom. The Perſons were ſuch as would not that Chriſt ſhould reign over them. And how doth Chriſt reign, but by his word and ſpirit, and the Laws and Statutes of them? Well then, ſuch as yield not both viſible and inviſible, obedience in heart and life unto the laws of Chriſt; but p. 255walk by their own laws, or the laws of men in things pertaining to the Kingdom of Chriſt, are the Enemies of his Kingdom. Nay, every man in an unconverted eſtate is an enemie to Chriſt. Rom. 5.10. Col. 1.21. Now I befeech you, if your Souls, and the ſecuring of your eternal peace, be ſo much worth; make a little pauſe here, and ſoberly conſider, what infallible, nay, probable evidences you can produce to prove your pretended Converſion; whether they are ſuch as God in his word ſpeaks peace through, and on which after ſerious and due deliberation, you can boldly and ſafely adventure your fouls on for ever. Nay, are there not many, and I think, never more amongſt a Chriſtian people, that even hate and diſdain the imputation of Repentance and Converſion, and yet cannot ſo much as queſtion whether they are the enemies of Chriſt or no. Well, the day is at hand that will ſeparate the Sheep from the Goats, and then it ſhall fully appear who are friends, and who are foes.

2. Whether Gods Enemies be not concern'd in his Rod, as well as his friends. Doubtleſs the Propoſition is affirmed by all the Reaſon in the world; If Judgment begin at the houſe of God, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Goſpel!1 Pet. 4.17.1 Pet 4:17 The wicked ſhall be turned into Hell, and all the Nations that forget God, Pſal. 9.17. Will a Lyon roar in the Forreſt when he hath no Prey? Shall a Trumpet be blown in the City, and the people not be afraid? The Lyon hath roared, who will not fear, p. 256the Lord God hath ſpoken, who can but propheſie?Am. 3.4.6.8.Amos 3:4Amos 3:6Amos 3:8

3. Whether the courſe you are taking be the way to the mercies you are exſpecting? By ſwearing and lying and killing and ſtealing and committing adultery they break out and blood toucheth blood. Therefore ſhall the Land mourn, Hoſ. 4.2, 3. If all manner of prophaneneſs and oppreſsion be the way to mercy and peace, then Scripture ſhall be no longer Scripture, nor God any longer God, who hath both threatned and executed the contrary. There is no peace, ſaith the Lord, to the wicked, Iſa. 48. ult. Hear this, O ye that ſwallow up the needy! even to make the poor of the Land, to fail that ye may buy the poor for ſilver, and the needy for a pair of ſhoes. Shall not the land tremble for this? and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? Am. 8.4, 6, 8. Righteouſneſs exalteth a nation, but Sin is a reproach to any people, Prov. 14.34. Surely if the plaineſt Scripture, or the moſt undenyable experience, be of any Credit or Conſequence with us, we need no prophetical Revelations to tell us whither we are ſinking.

4. Whether or no you are fighting for Chriſt or for Antichriſt. Your eſtate is Militant, and for one of theſe two you are fighting. He that is not with me, is againſt me. But be ſure, Michael and his Angels ſhall prevail, the Lamb will overcome the Beaſt. Therefore come out of her my People, that ye be not partakers of her Sins, and that ye receive not of her Plagues, p. 257Rev. 18.4. The Wine-preſs is prepared, the Vintage is at hand; Wo! wo! wo! to Babylon.

3. The third Voice of the Rod to the Enemies, is this; It tells them, that the Dregs of the Cup are like to come to their share, Pſal. 75.8. For in the hand of the Lord there is a Cup. and the Wine is red, it is full of mixture, and he …oureth out of the ſame; but the Dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them. How full of Gall & Wormwood …s every word in this Text! In the hand of the Lord, This ſhews that irreſiſtable power, that …hall enforce it, and the ſpeedy execution of it; …t is in his hand, and ſhall ſhortly be ſet to their …outhes; there is a Cup, The meaſure which …e hath appointed: 'tis the full Doſe, not one Scruple, or Drop, to be abated them. And the Wine is red. 'Tis a bloody Cup: fiery Indignation. It is full of mixture, A compoſition of …ll kinds and degrees of wrath and miſery; the Cup is not only full, but the mixture is full: it …s full of mixtures, nothing left out, that may …xpreſs his terrour, or their torment; it is full, …nd compleat vengeance. And he poureth out of …he ſame, They ſhall not ſip of it only, but …hall take off their full draught, they ſhall be …rencht with it; poured out, not by drops, but with a great Guſh of wrath; But the Dregs thereof, the Quinteſſence of its bitterneſs, the …ery utmoſt gall and venom of it. All the …icked of the earth; there ſhall not one eſcape, whether openly, or cloſely wicked; whoſoever p. 258hath not his name written in the Lamb's Book of Life, and his doors ſprinkled with the blood of the Paſſeover: though never ſo great in the world, or righteous in his own, or in the eyes of others; all the wicked of the earth, in all times, relations, conditions, or places of the earth, shall wring them out. 'Tis a Cup of their own mingling, they are treading the Wine-preſs themſelves; and this ſhall be the Worm that Conſcience ſhall gnaw them with, to all eternity; that there is no more poured out, than they themſelves poured in: Their undoing, is their own doing. Ah, Sinner! Every Sin, every Lye, every Oath, every Luſt, every omiſſion of thy Dutie, every Idle word, every hour ſpent in an unconverted eſtate, laies on more weight, to ſqueeze out, and extort the bittereſt dregs of wrath and miſery, which thou muſt ſhortly drink up. Tremble then, oh Sinner! God is going the Round, with his Cup of trembling; though it come to our Table firſt, be ſure, the bottom ſhall return on you; The time is come, that Judgment muſt begin at the Houſe of God, and if it firſt begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Goſpel? 1 Pet. 4.17. He that hath begun with us, ſhall ſooner o… later make an end with you. In the day that I shall viſit the transgreſſions of Iſrael upon him, I will alſo viſit the altars of Bethel, and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, Am. 3.14. The captive Ark, ſhall one day prove the utter ruin of Dagon. For, thus ſaith the Lord, Behold, they whoſe Judgment was not to drink of p. 259the Cup, have aſſuredly drunken; and art thou he that shalt altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt ſurely drink of it, Jer. 49.12. 'Tis a ſad Omen to God's enemies, when he begins to fall foul with his Friends, Rejoyce, and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwelleſt in the land of Ʋz, the Cup alſo shall paſs through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thy ſelf naked, Lam. 4.21. Behold, the righteous shall be …ecompenſed in the earth; much more the wicked, and the Sinner, Prov. 11.31. Farr be it from me, to rejoyce at the thoughts of that …udgment that attends thee; or to comfort my ſelf, with the hopes of that Tribulation, that is …ke to be thine eternal Recompence. But knowing the terrour of the Lord, we per…wade men. God, who knoweth all things, …noweth, that the deſire of my very Soul is, …hat thou might'ſt be ſaved; that, of an ene…y, thou might'ſt be made a friend; my Prayer to God, is, that the thoughts of thy …eart may be forgiven thee; my deſign is not … cry out upon thee, but to cry out unto thee. …ave your ſelves from this untoward generation, Act. 2.40. I would not, that fire ſhould …ome down from Heaven to conſume thee;Luk. ….5…. but …hat thou might'ſt be as a fire-brand pluck't out …f the burning. O that, though we are ſtrug…ng together here, in the womb of the earth, …e might both paſs ſafe through the new birth … …nner! this is all the harm and miſery I wiſh …ee, and all the happineſs I wiſh my ſelf. O p. 260that God would awaken thee, and cauſe thy lot… to fall with his own people! that God would make this Cup thy bleſſing, and not thy bane; thy purge, and not thy poiſon! that he would open himſelf a door into thy Soul, before he ſhut and lock the door of Hell upon thee!

4. The fourth errand of the Rod, to God… Enemies, is, to tell them, That God will certainly be too hard for them. Trouble, and anguish shall make him afraid, they shall prevail againſt him, as a King ready to the Battel… For he ſtretcheth out his hand againſt God and ſtrengtheneth himſelf againſt the Almighty. He runneth upon him, even upon his neck… upon the thick boſſes of his bucklers, Job 15.24, 25, 26. O, Sinner! what ſtrange madneſs hath bewitched the? Dareſt thou venture upon … God that's arm'd with all Power in Heave… and in Earth? Thou shalt break them with … rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces, like a Potters Veſſel, Pſal. 2.9. Ah, poor worm… Doſt thou think to take God Priſoner, an… bind the Almighty in chains? ſhould he a… but the leaſt of his Creatures againſt thee, wi… a Commiſſion to execute his wrath upon the… could'ſt thou ſtand before him? To what … a Height was proud Herod come, before God … his Worms upon him, Act. 12.23. Hath G… left himſelf without evident witneſs of his P… er and Juſtice, even in this age? Don't you very Reaſon, and natural Conſcience, ſome times ſuggeſt to you, as once it did to Gamali… If this Counſel, or this work be of men, it w… p. 261come to nought; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; leſt haply ye be found, even to fight againſt God, Act. 5.38, 39. We know, who will one day bruiſe the Head, and wound the hairy ſcalp of ſuch an one, as goeth on in his treſpaſſes, Pſal. 68.21. And for your farther awakening, Conſider, and know,

1. That God will be too hard for your Power: No weapon that is formed againſt thee, …hall proſper: and every tongue that shall riſe againſt thee in Judgment, thou shalt condemn, this is the heritage of the ſervants of the Lord, and their righteouſneſs is of me, ſaith the Lord, Iſa. 54.17. He that can ſet the Starrs in Battel-array, and cauſe them to fight from Heaven …n their Courſes, againſt his Enemies, Judg. 5.20. He that hath Legions of Angels at the Command of a word, Matth. 26.53. He that hath given thee all that power thou haſt, thy …ife, and breath, and beeing, Act. 17.28. Will not ſuch a God be too hard for thee? Shall the dryed ſtubble contend with the whirlwind?— Who would ſet the briers and thorns againſt me …n battel? I would go through them, I would burn them together, Iſa. 27.4. Well, Sinner! …s confident, and as bold as thou art, thou ſhalt, after a few moments more, know, againſt what …rreſiſtable ſtrength thou haſt ingaged; and remember, thou haſt been warn'd, that our God is a conſuming fire, Heb. 12.29. Remember, when thou art crying to the Hills to cover thee; when thou art roaring under the vengeance of …hat God, againſt whom thou art now fighting: p. 262When God is dealing dead Blows at thee, remember, that thou wert once warn'd; nay, thou ſhalt remember; there's one within thee ſhall bear record to Gods patience, and to my duty, and to thy ſhame and torment, that tho… haſt been fairly warn'd. When the Plagues of a Juſt God are raining in fire and brimſtone upon thee, and there is no eſcape: when 'tis too late to deliver thy Soul; then remember the time that thou wouldſt not be perſwaded.

2. God will be too hard for your Policy Aſſociate your ſelves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces, and give ear, all ye of fa… Countries. Gird your ſelves, and ye shall b… broken in pieces; take Counſel together, and … shall come to nought; ſpeak the word, and … shall not ſtand: for God is with us, Iſa. 8.9, 10. Aſſociate your ſelves, and take counſe… together; let the Aſſembly be full, a general Convocation: Gird your ſelves in Oath an… Intereſt, as one man, and gird your ſelves again… twiſt the Cords of Counſel, reviſe and recognize your Debates and Reſults; nay, ſpea… the word, and yet it ſhall not ſtand, for God is with us. God is an All-ſeeing, and an Al… knowing, as well as an Almighty God. Counſel is mine, and ſound wiſdom, I am underſtanding, I have ſtrength, Prov. 8.14. The Decre… of men are not in force with God, till the… have paſt under the Broad Seal of Heaven Counſel is mine, The Counſel that is not ferch from the God of Counſel, is Madneſs and Folly and not Counſel. Sinner! let me tell thee, though… p. 263thou haſt hired the D…vil for Counſel, with the Fees of thy Soul: yet all thy Counſel ſhall prove thy Confuſion, when the Cauſe ſhall be pleaded before the Judge of Quick and Dead. Remember Balaam's Parable, and take it for a Rule. Surely there is no Enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any Divination againſt Iſrael, Numb. 23.23. Who hath hardened himſelf againſt God, and hath proſpered? Job 9.4. Ask Cain how he proſper'd againſt his Brother; ask the old World how they proſpered; ask Pharaoh; ask Sodom and Gomorrah; nay, ask the damned in Hell, whether they have proſpered? whether ever they were too hard for God? and within a few years more, you may be able to tell me, could I come to ask you, that you have had as bad ſucceſs as any of theſe.

5. The fifth and laſt Voice of the Rod, to the Enemies of God, is, to forewarn them, that God is making short work with them. For, he will finiſh the work, and cut it short in righteouſneſs: becauſe a short work will the Lord make upon the earth, Rom. 9.28. Oh, that I could be heard, while your hearing time holds! oh, that now, at the eleventh hour, I might perſwade you to come into the Lords Vineyard, and labour with us this one hour that is left, that you may receive your penny with us at …ight! oh, that theſe parting knocks might be heard! that theſe laſt calls might have a willing and kind Anſwer! How doth my Soul long for you? Ah, Sirs! 'twill be ſad repenting in another world; 'twill be hard to bear what you cannot p. 264not then avoid. Oh, that I could wiſh you, or weep you, and pray you into Covenant with Chriſt! A little while longer, and you will wi…h as I do, O that I had been wiſe, while I might have been happy! oh, that I had been counſelled, and rul'd by thoſe that wisht my Soul well, even as their own Souls! A few Sports more, Sinner, and then thou ſhalt play thy laſt Game, Deceive and flatter thy ſelf a little longer, and then thou ſhalt be undeceived for ever. Scorn us, mock us, perſecute us a little longer; and then thou ſhalt ſcorn us no more, thou ſhal… mock nor perſecute no more for ever. Be wiſe now therefore, O ye Kings, and be inſtructed ye Judges of the Earth; ſerve the Lord with fear, and rejoyce with trembling. Kiſs the Son, leſt he be angry, and ye perish from the way: When his wrath is kindled but a little: Bleſſed are all they that put their truſt in him, Pſal. 2.10, 11, 12. The Lords wrath is kindled, and that not a little: 'tis time to kiſs the Son. But, Wi… you kiſs him, as Judas kiſs'd his Maſter? W… wo, be to thee; it had been good for thee, i… thou hadſt never been born. Oh, how ſh… beſpeak thee! how ſhall I awaken thee! Wha… meaneſt thou, O sleeper? Ariſe, call upon th… God. But for m… People and Country's ſake, I only with, I might err in this part … Viſion.The Cloud hangs black and heavy … …hee, full of the wrath of God; Warrs and Tumults, and Rapines, abroad: Poverty and Peſt… lence, Mu…mu…ings, Heart-burnings, Jealouſi… and Fears, at home. Miſery and Ruin ſeem to be driving at us, as Jehu towards Jezreal. W… knows what Deſol…tions a year or two more p. 265may produce? who can well what a day may bring forth. The fire hath entred your dwellings, and will you burn in your Beds? God hath claſht the Bells of Nature, nay, and overturn'd the Bells of Aaron too, and can none of theſe things affect us? oh that God would now drive home and faſten theſe Nails upon you! that he would graciouſly perſwade you to hear the Rod, and him who hath appointed it.

Proceed we now to anſwer one Query briefly; How to Judge of the particular Voice of this or that particular Rod. And that I may commend the practice of this Search to you, give me leave to premiſe theſe three or four Incentives.

1. 'Tis an excellent way to gain by the Rod. Though the Balm be never ſo Soveraign and good; yet if the Patient knowes not how or where to apply it, it is never like to effect the cure. Correction without inſtruction is the way to harden, not to reform. This ſeems to be one main cauſe why God was even weary of ſmiting Iſrael. There was no end in it; ye will revolt more and more. The more I ſtrike, the more ye revolt; I may ſtrike you dead, and all will be one. The reaſon is, Iſrael doth not know, my people doth not conſider, Iſa. 1.3. Therefore Doctrine muſt go with Reproof, and Inſruction in righteouſneſs with correction; then both the Word, and the Rod will be profitable and ſucceſsful. Chriſtian:2 Tim. 3.6.2 Tim 3:6 this is the way to turn thy ſaddeſt loſſes to thy beſt advantage: To extract Ex vipera theriacam, out of poyſon an Antidote againſt poyſon: To turn Egyptians againſt p. 266Egyptians; this is the art and happineſs of a Chriſtian, To ſet his loſſes, his hazzards, his croſſes, his miſeries, nay, death it ſelf, among his richeſt gains.

2. 'Tis a notable courſe to make the yoak eaſie. What's that makes any caſe grievous or deſperate, but this, when we know not how to help it? How doth it trouble and diſquiet you, when a friend is angry, and you know not why or wherefore? or how to go about to reconcile him? OnelyOnly this you know, that he will not be angry without great and juſt cauſe. The knowledge of the Cauſe is alway the firſt direct ſtep to the Cure. You will never go cheerfully under the yoak, as long as you go in the dark as to the end and meaning of it.

3. 'Tis a ſpecial means to improve your Experience, and to ſtrengthen your watch. This will bring thee better acquainted with all the falſe corners and Caves, the windings and Meanders of thy heart and life. When you have not only bin taught or threatned, but whipt out of an errour, it will be a good token with you as long as you live. What you have once ſenſibly ſmarted for, you will the more carefully watch againſt. The reaſon why we are at ſuch loſſes in thoſe Circumſtantials, wherein the Word is ſilent, is, becauſe we have not obſerved nor underſtood the Rule, wherein the Rod hath ſpoken more plainly. The Rod is the Feſtu in Gods hand, whereby ſometimes he teacheth his children to ſpell his word. The Theorie of any art is not ſo throughly underſtood, till the Practice p. 267make it familiar. Your Coſtly experiences will be your ſtanding experiences. Oh what a ſtaff will this be in your hands, when you are ſtaggering and halting between Faith and Reaſon! when conſcience ſhall ſtand up and urge you with former experiences, This way I dare not adventure on, God hath met with me here already, and convinc'd me that it is out of my way; the laſt time I was wandring in this or the like unwarrantable path, I ſadly remember what frowns were given me, and how dear it coſt me; and should I be found in the ſame or the like way again, will he not make me remember it as long as I live? and leave ſuch a mark on me as shall cauſe me to go limping and lamenting to my grave?

4. 'Tis the only way to have the affliction remov'd with advantage. Suppoſe, now God is afflicting thee in thy Health, or Liberty, or in thy worldly Deſignes or Hopes: It's not thy ordinary courſe in ſuch a caſe, to find out and remove the immediate and natural cauſe of it? if this be accompliſhed, and the effect, which troubled thee, ceaſe, thou rejoyceſt and commendeſt thy courſe, and by and by all is forgotten; the wound is cur'd, and all is well, and the Plaiſter laid up for the next like occaſion: thus the Rod loſeth its end, and doth but ſtop thee in thy way, not turn thee out of thy way; and hence it follows, that if God intend thee any good, he muſt ſend ſtronger meſſengers after thee, which, it may be, are forc't to knock thee down before thou wilt yield. But ſuppoſe that p. 268God ſhould leave thee to thy own courſe, to remove natural evils with natural Remedies, and to look no higher; unto what a diſtance from God wouldſt thou in a ſhort time wander? Nay, though thou acknowledgeſt thy ſin in the general, or in many principal or particular branches of it, and indeavoureſt to humble thy ſoul in truth before God; yet if that Achan the chief Author of the preſent diſpleaſure be not found out and executed according to the law of God, thou art as lyable ſtill, to the ſame miſcarriage, and to the ſame affliction, as ever thou wert before. Though the Rod may have wrought ſome good on thee, yet it hath not reacht that good.

Let this ſerve to move you unto the Duty, through the bleſsing of him that watereth the Furrows of Sion, and cauſeth his people to profit. I come now to anſwer unto this great and neceſſarie Query.

To be peremptory or poſitive in this caſe is dangerous. Gods waies are ſometimes in the dark: his counſels are a great deep, where it may be as unſafe for us to ſeek him, as it is impoſſible to find him. Yet I am not leading you into a Labyrinth of endleſs or fruitleſs labour, nor introducing unto the contemplation of a Platonick Idea, nor about to perſwade you to turn Oracles to your ſelves. That which I have to propoſe is not intended to diſtract thee, but to direct thee. Here is certainly a Pearl of great price hid; a Gemme of infinite value; Digg, and thou ſhalt find it; find it, and it ſhall enrich thee both in this world, and in a better. p. 269And as you hope to underſtand the Counſel of God in this buſineſs, ſet your ſelves with all poſſible ſeriouſneſs and impartiality to ſeek it of God in the diligent uſe of theſe, and any other Directions that ſhall from God be ſuggeſted to thee.

1. Confider what were thy laſt miſcarriages. Deal with thy ſelf as Phyſitians are wont to do with their Patients. What was the laſt die you fed upon? Poſsibly, there may be ſomething in the Nature, the Quality or quantity of it, which may produce ſuch a diſtemper. Was there no diſtaſte or diſlike in the ſtomack at, or immediately after, the reception of it? No Reluctance or doubting in conſcience about any thing you have lately done, or ſpoken, or purpoſed, or adviſed, or omitted? Sometimes, God is pleaſed to intimate his diſpleaſure by his Rod in the firſt ſtep of our departure from him, He that hath commanded us to call upon him while he is near, is ſometimes pleaſed to obſerve his own Law, and calls upon us while we are near, to reckon with us while it is hot: before we are gone out of hearing, as it were. I need not heap up Scripture-Inſtances to this purpoſe: daily experience is ſufficient evidence.

2. What are the cructations of thy conſcience? Is there nothing, that Conſcience doth begin to accuſe thee of? that thou couldſt wiſh had been done, or left to doing? When David had numbred the people, ſee how conſcience did preſently begin to work within him, His heart ſmote him, 2 Sam. 24.10. What ever thou doeſt, p. 270take heed of overlaying thy conſcience, or ſtifling the operations of it: If this lye ſpeechleſs in ſuch a caſe, its a ſigne the diſeaſe is dangerous: when the Stomack is overcharged, either in Quantity or Quality, it loatheth the very thoughts of meat: but eſpecially of that, whereon it ſurfeited. My Sin is ever before me, ſaies David. Pſal. 51.3. 'Tis true the ſin of his nature comes into his thoughts, as the root and ſpawn of all the reſt: but 'tis this particular guilt, that alwaies returns with its gaſhly and dreadful aggravations upon him.

3. Sometimes the Puniſhment bears reſemblance with the Sin. Suffering is the Off-ſpring of ſin; and oftentimes it begets children in its own likeneſs. God ſometimes deals with us Lege Talionis, and requi…eth us like for like. So he dealt with Agag, 1 Sam. 15.33. As thy ſword hath made women childleſs, ſo ſhall thy mother be childleſs among women. Such was that Judgment of God on thoſe Sodomites the Apoſtle ſpeaks of, Rom. 1.27. Receiving in themſelves that recompence of their errour which was meet. He meted out a puniſhment, that ſhould ſuit with their impiety, and made their very ſin to be their ſnare. Thus he doth often, as it were, write our accuſation on our croſs, and cauſe the ſuffering to bear the very picture of the Sin. Nay, after this manner God dealt with David himſelf: When he began to glory in, or to truſt to, the multitude and ſtrength of his forces; God ſhortned them by ſeventy thouſand men. 2 Sam. 24.15. So when he had ſinned by Adultery p. 271and Murder: Murder and Adultery was his puniſhment, 2 Sam. 12.10, 11. Thus alſo God met with Ahab, 1 King. 21.19. But to mention no more: this is one of the commoneſt and cleareſt Rules we have to judge by in this caſe. Hath God croſt thee in any of thy delights? Conſider whether thy delight were lawful in its ſelf and in its circumſtances, or the uſe of it, moderate and ſubordinate. Hath he ſmitten thee in ſome dear Relation? Conſider whether it had not too much of thine heart, or of thy time, thy care, or fond Indulgence. Hath he afflicted thee in any part of thy Body? Conſider how thy Body (or, it may be, that part eſpecially) hath been employed either to Gods honour or diſhonour. Haſt thou met with any fruſtration, danger, or evil ſucceſs in thy enterprize? Conſider what were thy ends. Of whom didſt thou ask counſel? or crave aſsiſtance? See whether there be not ſome offence near thee, of which thy puniſhment may claim parentage. The firſt Queſtion we uſe to ask the Patient is this, Where doth your pain lie? Wherein are you grieved moſt? And then examine, whether that part be not ſuffering under its own guilt. It may be thou art in a languiſhing, pining caſe, under ſom hereditary diſtemper, and haſt alwayes ſomthing to complain of. Why, may not God then be preſenting to thee the Condition of thy …oul by the eſtate of the body, and viſiting for …he ſin of thy enſtome or Conſtitution? When God enters into a Courſe of Phyſick with thee, …s an Argument that the diſeaſe is rooted in p. 272thee, and let me add this as a ſure Rule, by the way. Every Affliction hath a general, if not a ſpecial eye and aime at thy moſt beloved, habituated, or accustomed Sin. Though particular miſcarriages be often times attended with particular corrections; yet both, it may be, are properly reducible unto thy maſter-Laſt, the ſin that doth ſo eaſily beſet thee, as the root of all: for one and the ſame ſin may diſcover its ſelf diverſe waies, that ſeem aliene from its own nature. For illuſtration take this plain example. A man that is naturally Scorbutical, and lies under the Phyſitians hands for that diſeaſe, but while this is under cure, he falls into a Feaver, or Pluriſie, or Dropſie, or the like; unto which the Phyſitian applies his art diverſly; yet in all he does, hath a due reſpect unto the former and great infirmity, which is as the fountain of the reſt, and creates him all this toyl, and variety of Methods and Compoſitions. Hence I conclude then, that he that is not acquainted with his Maſter-ſin, the King or Prince of his corruptions; is not like to go farr, with any ſucceſs or real advantage, in his ſearch.

4. It may be God afflicts thee for prevention of a worſe evil. I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall that ſhe ſhall not find her pathes. Hoſ. 2.6. God will ſet thorns in his ſheeps paths, to keep them from breaking from him. This was the courſe God took with St. Paul. 2 Cor. 12.7. Left I ſhould be exalted above meaſure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in p. 273the fleſh: a meſſenger of Satan to buffet me, leſt I ſhould be exalted above meaſure. God ſees ſometimes that proſperity would hurt us, eaſe and worldly contents would prove ſnares to us; and therefore in mercy he may deny or remove them. It may be, that God is fitting thee for ſome more than ordinary mercy, and laying the foundation for ſome fair building; if ſo, marvail not, nay, bethink it not if he digg deep in thee.

5. Conſider, what is thy Patience under the Rod: An impatient high colour, and the thick and eager beating of the Pulſe of thy complaints are the Symptoms of a Feaver, and gives cauſe to think that unbelief and impatience is, at leaſt, an Aſsiſtent, if not the Principal cauſe.Pelluntur ignibus ignes. 'Tis an ordinary thing with God, to drive out one heat with another. Wonder not to ſee God ſetting his weak children on their leggs and teaching them to go, though they be froward and unwilling. He knowes that exerciſe is the way to beget and to ſtrengthen habits. If thou wouldſt that God ſhould give over his afflicting, thou muſt learn to give over thy fretting. The quiet Patient is either the moſt hopeful, or the moſt deſperate Patient.

6. It may be Gods deſign is only or chiefly, for thy tryal. To diſcover to thy ſelf that which was hid, whether it be grace or corruption. Though ſin be ever (at leaſt) the remote cauſe of the Rod, yet it is not alway the main Cauſe; though it be cum causâ, yet not alway n causâ, Neither hath this man ſinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God ſhould be made manifeſt p. 274in him. Joh, 9.3. Doubtleſs, both the man and his parents were ſinners, both originally and actually; but that was not it, for which the man was born blind.

7. Go and ask it of God by prayer. No man in heaven nor in earth is able or worthy to open this Book, unleſs the Lyon of the tribe of Judah do it. Prayer is the Key to open theſe Adyta Templi, the ſecrets and Myſteries of the Spirit; the deep counſells of Providence. O the depth of the riches both of the wiſdome and knowledge of God! how unſearchable are his judgments, and his waies paſt finding out! For, who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counſeller? Rom. 11.33, 34. O then! go out of thy ſelf, and get up to the Mount with God. Prayer hath the Promiſe to quicken and encourage it. Jam. 1.5. Spread thy caſe before him; bewail thy Ignorance to him; draw up thy affections to a reſolved and practical ſubmiſſion to whatſoever he ſhall convince thee of; and conclude all with holy Job, chap. 6, 24. Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cauſe me to underſtand wherein I have erred.

Vſe 1. I come now to conclude all with a little Application. And I ſhall be very brief here, becauſe the doctrinal part hath been moſtly practical. Well Sirs! If the Lords Rod be no dumb Rod, and this be the voice and language of it, then,

1. This Informs us of a threefold Miſtake.

1. They are miſtaken, that queſtion Gods rovidence. And they ſay, how doth God know, p. 275and is there knowledge in the moſt high? Pſal. 73.11. Nay, it ſeems that the Pſalmiſt himſelf was almoſt ready to think ſo to. Verily I have cleanſed my heart in vain, ver. 13. Vntil I went …nto the Sanctuary of God, then underſtood I …heir end, ver. 17. Which argues that he was miſtaken before: till then, he underſtood not …he myſtery. He could not perceive thoſe inner wheels, that ſecret Thred of Providence, which …uns through all the transactions, counſells, eſtates …nd deſigns of men. And is not this almoſt your Caſe, my Brethren? that you are ready to ſay with that wicked Meſſenger, 2 King. 6.33. This …il is of the Lord, what ſhould I wait for the Lord any longer! Though you acknowledg the …vine Providence in its Eſſe, yet know not how … ſubſcribe or ſubmit to it in its Operari. You …e that it is the Lords doing, and it is not only …avellous: but grievous, as thorns in your eyes …nd hereupon the unbelieving, impatient heart … begetting and harbouring hard th…ughts of …od. Becauſe you can't reach the other end of …s unſearchable Counſells, are apt to cenſure his …are or his Power, as if he were a God that …d forgotten to be gracious, or unable to deli…r. God hath forſaken him; perſecute him, and …ke him: for there is none to deliver him, Pſal. …1.11. What! is there none to deliver? Have … cut the Reins in Gods hand? Have you got… the Bridle into your teeth? Will you indeed …ſecute and take him? Ay, but what if you be …ſtaken? What if the Sampſon of your Con…ence ſhould but mock with you? what if the p. 276divided Sea ſhould roul her waves together again? But the ſalvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their ſtrength in the time of trouble. And the Lord ſhall help them, and deliver them: he ſhall deliver them from the wicked, and ſave them becauſe they truſt in him, Pſal. 37.39, 40.

2. They are miſtaken, that transferr the cauſe of the Rod from themſelves. When the guilt of ſin appears in the puniſhment of it; Nature it ſelf ſeems aſham'd to own it, Then it is not I, and it is not I. The Woman which thou gaveſt me, ſaies the man: the Serpent, ſaies the woman. Thou art he that troubleth Iſrael, ſaies Ahab to Elijah: I have not troubled Iſrael, ſaies Elijah, but thou and thy Fathers houſe (more likely indeed) in that ye have forſaken the commandment, of the Lord, and thou haſt followed Baalim, 1 King. 18.17, 18. Well Sirs! 'tis in vain to ſh…ffle and collude with God and Conſcience The Burden of England is very heavy: ou… wound is grievous and general; we are in a bleeding, ga…ping, dying caſe; the whole Camp is diſquieted, for the judgments of God are among us, and the glory of England is departing: God will ſhortly diſcover where the fault lies; and who and what it is, that hath troubled us. 'T… in vain to plead, Not guilty before God. For … have ſinned, and come ſhort of the Glory of God Rom. 3.23. 'Tis true, there are thoſe that thing themſelves without ſin, and at leaſt without an… conſiderable guilt in this evil, and take up th… Stones to caſt at us: But when once Conſcience p. 277is awakened as theirs was, Joh. 8.9. they may begin to be aſhamed. The Wiſeman tells of a woman that eateth, and wipeth her mouth and ſaith, I have done no wickedneſs, Pro. 30.20. and yet ſhe is convicted for an adulterous woman: Nay, it is given as the mark of an Adultereſs, ſo to do. God is not wont to cut his Plaiſter larger than the wound: the Rod will tell us where the guilt lies. Yet where the wound ſmarts moſt, there is moſt ſign of life and hope of a cure: that part that is moſt dangerouſly gangrenated is leaſt ſenſible, till it comes to cauteriſing or deciſion. Oh that God would convince England of her ſickneſs, and cauſe her to ſee her wound, before it become utterly incurable!

3. They are alſo miſtaken, that apply themſelves to indirect means to be healed. Good men as well as bad are ſometimes guilty in this kind: it was Aſa's ſin 2 Chron. 16.12— In his diſeaſe he ſought not to the Lord, but to the Phyſitians. When Ephraim ſaw his ſickneſs, and Judah ſaw his wounds, then went Ephraim to the Aſſyrian, and ſent to King Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound, Hoſ. 5.13. They ſaw onelyonly the wound of their diſeaſe, not the cauſe of it; and this led them the wrong way to the cure; ſo, Jer. 44.17, 18. We will certainly do whatſoever thing goeth forth …ut of our own mouth, to burn incenſe to the Queen of Heaven, and to pour out drink-offerings unto her, …s we have done, we and our fathers, our Kings and …ur Princes in the Cities of Judah, and in the ſtreets …f Jeruſalem: For then had we plenty of victuals …nd were well, and ſaw no evil: but ſince we left off …o burn incenſe to the Queen of Heaven, and to p. 278pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been conſumed by the ſword and by the famine. Is not this the language and practice of the Generation of our daies? that meaſure their Religion by th…ir B…llies,Mich. 3.10.Mic 3:10 and would fain build up …ion with blood, and Jeruſalem with iniquity. We will return to our Maſs and Matins, to our old Superſtition and prophnneſs, for then we were well and ſaw no evil: but ſince there hath been ſo much preaching, and ſuch ſtrong light, ſuch circumſpect walking, and evidence of the ſpirit and power of godlineſs; we have wanted all things, at leaſt that one thing we would have. Oh 'twere good daies when both Prieſt and People were agreed to fall into the Ditch together, when Sabbath-daies were daies of ſport and recreation, and Pardons might be had through the hands of other Meditators, and within the price of a luſt. But ſee what follows, ver, 21. The incenſe ye that burnt in the cities of Judah and in the ſtreets of Jeruſalem, ye and your fathers, your Kings and your Princes and the people of the land, did not the Lord remember them, and came it not into his mind, ſo that the Lord could no longer be…r becauſe of the evil of your doings? Becauſe ye have burnt incenſe, and becauſe ye have ſinned againſt the Lord, &c. therefore this evil is happened unto you as at this day, Jer. 44.21. Is your return to the cauſe of your P…gues the rational courſe to prevent them? will a ſecond draught of the ſame Poyſon a…ido e the firſt? The children of Iſrael have done evil in my ſight, ſaith the Lord, they have ſet their abominations in the houſe, which is called by my name to pollute it, and they have built the p. 279high places of Tophet. Their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of man; while, with the old Samaritans, they fear the Lord and ſerve their Idols. They are gon with the Dog to his vomit: Therefore, behold the daies come, ſaith the Lord, that it ſhall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the Son of Hinnom; but the valley of ſlaugter, Jer. 7.31, 32. When we turn Gods Bethel to a Bethaven, his houſe of Prayer to a den of Thieves: it will cauſe God to turn our Hephzibah into an Aceldama, a land of delights to a field of Blood. Till the true cauſe be diſcovered, acknowledged, and removed, we are farr enough from the cure. The nature of the cauſe might direct us to the means: If it be ſin that hath made the wound; who ſhall heal it, but he that hath authority to forgive ſin, and to cleanſe us from all unrighteouſneſs? For thus ſaith the Lord, thy bruiſe is uncurable, and thy wound is grievous, there is none to plead thy cauſe &c. All thy lovers have forſaken thee, they ſeek thee not, Jer. 30.12, &c. Thy wound is in curable with men; for few there are that underſtand, none that can remove it in its Cauſe or effects. Thy Lovers, thy Confederates, whoſe Aſſiſtance thou craveſt and dependeſt on, will prove but Fig-leaves, not Shields to thee. For I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy. Thou wilt find that theſe Beds are ſhorter than that thou canst ſtretch thy ſelf on them, and the Coverings narrower than that thou canſt wrap thy ſelf in them, Iſa. 28.20. the Abomination of thy Prayers and Sacrifices will never reconcile that God that is in controverſie wi…h theſe thy Abominations. The multitude of thy Offerings p. 280will not remov…, but aggravate the ſin of thine Oblations. There's nothing of thee, nothing in thee, nothing about thee, nothing above thee, but God that can help thee: and if ever he do it, be ſure he will do it in his own way, and on his own terms: thou muſt firſt compound with him and ſubmit to him. Oh! take heed of running to thy own witts, or righteouſneſs, of reſting on thy own duties, or innocency, or goodneſs of thy cauſe for help: Theſe are not, theſe will not be, thy Saviours.

S…ffer the word of Exhortation. Vſe 2 You have heard that the Rod hath a Voice, and what this voice is: God hath been now a long time with various Comments and gloſſes expounding it to you. And now, my B ethren, I am come in the name of God, to drive home the Nail to the head, that I have bin all this while driving at. Oh that theſe laſt blows might do the work on you! that God may not take up the Hammer and drive a Jael's nail at your very heart, that I may leave it at laſt as nails faſtned by the Maſters of Aſſemblies.Eccl. 12.11Eccl 12:11 The ſpirit of God hath fram'd the exhortation in the text it ſelf, Hear ye the Rod; and I ſhall ſay no more, I can ſay no more, but to urge you with this Dilemma. Either you will hear, or elſe you will not hear. Now give me leave to tell you, and take it as ſome of my parting words, as thoſe that are not like to be called upon much longer. God is c…ying to you, Friends, for his packing penny; the eleventh hour is come, and ſome of h s laſt meſſengers are ſent, for your laſt anſwer; refuſe but a little longer, and you ſhall never have the …ffer more. Oh! that our words and wiſhes and tears might now at laſt prevail with you!

p. 2811. If you will not hear the Rod in the voice of it, you ſhall ſurely feel the Rod in the vengeance and curſe of it. Hear ye deaf, and look ye blind that ye may ſee; who is blind but my ſervant, and who is deaf as my Meſſenger that I ſent? Iſa. 42.10. &c. But this is a people robbed and ſpoyled; they are all of them ſnared in holes, and they are hid in priſon-houſes, they are for a prey and none delivereth, for a ſpoyl and none ſaith, Reſtore. Who among you will give ear to this? Who will hearken and hear for the time to come? ver. 22.23. Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the Strength of Battel, and it hath ſet him on fire round about, yet he knew it not, and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart, ver. 25. Sinner! doſt thou think that God will leave thee thus? Hath he threatned thee, and ſhaken the Rod at thee, and ſhalt thou eſcape ſo? Hath he made all theſe dreadful preparations of wrath onelyonly in terrorem, to affrighten thee? wilt thou once more try whether he be in earneſt or no? To thy ſorrow ſhalt thou try it and find it, when the irreverſible curſe of God hath faſtned on thee, when the Fire and Brimſtone of divine and unexpiable vengeance is ſmoaking about thine ears, thou ſhalt know that he was in earneſt. When God ſhall daſh the potts of thy higheſt Hopes and deareſt Comforts, in pieces; when the bitter dreggs of the Cup of trembling are at thy noſe and muſt paſs through thee: when thou ſhalt long for death, and curſe the day that ever thou wert born, then ſhalt thou know in whoſe hand the Rod is. If ye will not hear theſe words, I ſwear by my ſelf, ſaith the Lord, that this Houſe ſhall become a deſolation, Jer. 22.5. O hear this and tremble, p. 282thou that wilt not hear? God hath ſworn thy deſolation, and vow'd thy deſtruction. What ſhall I ſay? If thou art reſolv'd to run the Risk with God thou mayeſt. Rejoyce, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the daies of thy youth, and walk in the waies of thine heart, and in the ſight of thine eyes: but know that for all theſe things God will bring thee into Judgement, Eccleſ. 11.9. Thou may'ſt enjoy a merry day or two, it may be a few merry years more; but then, reſolve to bid thy joys farewell for ever! O that ſome ſuch thoughts as theſe might awaken thee before it be too late!

2. If you will thus hear the Rod, you may be ſure of ſtrength to bear it. Encline your ear, & come unto me hear and your ſoul ſhall live, Iſa. 55.3. What death ſoever threatens you; what dangers ſoever are impendent over you; whoſoever die, be ſure, you ſhall live. You ſhall live even in death its ſelf; for your Soul ſhall …ive. There hath no temptation taken you, ſaies the Apoſtle, and there shall no temptation take you, but ſuch as is common to man. But God is faithful, who will not ſuffer you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation alſo make away to eſcape, that ye may be able to bear it, 1 Cor. 10.13. When God ſees his children willing to obey to their utmoſt, he will never put them upon more than they ſhall be enabled to wade through with comfort. Rejoyce not againſt me, o mine enemy when I fall I ſhall ariſe; when I ſit in darneſs, the Lord ſhall be a light unto me, Mic. 7.8. What ſhall I ſay? All the comfort in the God of comfort is ingaged with thee: If thou art willing to take up thy Croſs, and to own thy duty under all its difficulties; p. 283he that hath called thee will bear thy Croſs for thee and, if that be too little, he will bear both thee and thy Burden too. 1 Pet. 5.7. Matth. 11.28.

In the next place, let this put you on the ſerious, ſpeedy, and impartial ſearch and examination,

Vſe 1. Of your Ends in deſiring the removal of the Rod. Is not this your joynt-cry, and the common requeſt of your Souls to God, that his blows may ceaſe, and the bloody executioners of his wrath be called in? Now what are your Ends? Is your perſonal peace, the worldly credit of your own way, that which you aim at! that you may ſit down under your own Vines and Figtrees, as you have done heretofore? do your ends reach onelyonly to your own enjoyments, either ſpiritual or temporal? If ſo, you are yet ſhort of that which is God's, and ſhould be your, deſign. Chriſtian, I cannot tell thee what lies at the bottom of thy heart, nor where thy ends are center'd; I can but propoſe theſe things to thy Conſcience, and leave it there to be examined between God and thy own Soul. The end of all divine actions and providences with relation to God himſelf is the fuller and more convincing manifeſtation of the glory of all his Attributes, wherein he is wont to make himſelf known to his creatures, with relation to us; it is to accompliſh his revealed will, which is our Sanctification. Wherefore th…ſe deſignes of God, whom we are bound to imitate in all things imitable, ſhould be our Rule, both to direct and diſcern our ends by.

But you may ſay: Why, Obj. we are content to ly as low as God would have us to ly: to become any thing that God may have glorie by us, We hope, we aim p. 284at nothing more than the advancement of that great End.

You ſay, Anſw. You are contented to lye at Gods feeet. But let me ask thy heart now, Is it not, becauſe thou muſt be there, and canſt not help it? God hath caſt thee down, but fore againſt thy will: wouldſt thou ever have taken up this croſs, had not God neceſſitated thee and even forc't it on thee? Brethren, I would not be miſtaken here: I have already declar'd my mind in this caſe, before. There is nothing in the Croſs it ſelf, that can render it deſireable or eligible for it ſelf: but if Chriſt be there, the Caſe is alter'd. If he be lifted up, he ſhall draw all men to him. Ioh. 12.32.John 12:32The Croſs is then thy Croſs, and thy duty lies in it: and certainly, Duty is deſireable, on the ſame account that Idleneſs is deteſtable. Nay, what ever it be that God hath plac't thy duty in, it is deſireable for thy duties ſake. A true Souldier had as liev fight the Battel, being called to it, as to divide the Spoyl: and yet is not fool-hardie, to ruſh on dangers, without a Commiſſion. Theſe are they which follow the Lamb whither ſoever he goeth Rev. 14.4. They are not dragged at his heels, but they follow him. A Chriſtians will ſhould hang in Aequilibrio, with an indeterminable promptneſs and readineſs to any thing that ſhall from God be diſcovered to be his duty. Now, can you rejoyce in tribulation? May I ask you then, whence it comes to paſs? Is it from the Comfort you find in it? Can you ſay, you are at hearts content even in the Furnace, becauſe you are there with Chriſt? or is it from the Good you get by it? can you ſay, that you never wrought merrier than in thoſe golden Mines, where p. 285you are ever and anon fainting and ready to leave your lives under your Burdens? or is it from the Equity you perceive in it? do you reſolve,Mich. 7.9.Mic 7:9 I will bear the indignation of the Lord becauſe I have ſinned againſt him. If this be the temper of your hearts, let him alone to take it off, that laid it on: and though what ever God doth in the world, he is wont to do by means, yet take heed of preſcribing means to him whoſe Prerogative it is to elect his owne means, and then to commiſſionate and impower them. Examine what good the Rod hath wrought on you: either the voice of it, or the ſtroaks of it. Have you been humbled and reformed by what you have ſeen and ſuffered? Have you been inſtructed, reſolved, and ſtrengthned by what you have read or heard? Hath God been at all theſe pains about you in vain? Hath he been knocking on Anvils, and I beating the air? God hath no… chaſtized you with dumb Blows, but hath reaſoned the caſe with you. Oh my Brethren, where's the print of Gods Seal on you? have you been ſoftned to receive the impreſſion? Bleſsed is the man whom thou chaſtenest, and teacheſt him out of thy law, Pſal. 94.12. This is the Bleſſed courſe that God hath taken with you; oh! where's the Bleſſed effect it hath wrought on you! As ſure as your Souls ſhall riſe at the Judgment, theſe things shall riſe with you, either to your comfort or your condemnation. And now that I am about to shut up all, and to conclude my important Errand to you, O let me not leave it in your Napkins, in your Papers, in your Heads, or in your Mouths onelyonly; but in your hearts and lives! It grieves my ſoul to think that I should beſtow ſo much of my time and labour to aggravate p. 286the Damnation of any of you. O that I knew how, or were able to prevent it! Dearly beloved in the Lord! though my meſſage to you be drawing to a Period, yet my heart is ever full towards you. I know not how to leave you, for fear I should leave any of you short of my end and deſire. Oh that I could intruſt a Token with you to remember God, your ſouls and your Duty by, as long as you live! What Duty, what Sin have you been convinc't of? what ſearch have you made, and what have you found? Have we been fishing, not onelyonly all night, but all this year, and caught nothing? What ſpiritual weapon, what experience, what courage, what victory, what grace have you gotten or ſtrengthned? oh ſit down and shake your Netts; ſee what you have gotten. Shall afflictions from henceforth find you as naked, and leave you as unreform'd and unreſolv'd, as if you had never heard a word of the nature or uſe of them? Ah my Brethren! theſe are the things you have adventured hard for, that you have hazzarded, and it may loſt ſomthing for, and have you gotten nothing to make it up again? Take this from me, You will never adventure all at ſuch a rate; ſuch marchandizing will certainly beggar your Profeſsion.

Vſe 4 Laſtly, this affords us matter of ſaddeſt Lamentation, and that on theſe three Accounts.

1. That we ſhould provoke God thus to deal with us. We, the People of ſuch mercies and deliverances whom God hath ſo highly honour'd and made the head and not the tail of the Nations; whoſe part he hath taken againſt all the world, and manifeſted his high account of us in the face of our enemies. Surely any Nation under Heaven might better have done it than England. You onelyonly have I known of all the p. 287Families of the earth; therefore I will puniſh you for all your iniquities, Am. 3.2. Is it a ſmall offence that hath drawn out ſuch a Flood of wrath? Oh let us ſit down and weep here! we that even now were ſitting among the Lillies are now toſt and torn among the thorns and briers. Our peace is broken both with God and Man; our health and plenty is declining like a Shadow; we are ſore broken as in the place of Dragons. O that my head were waters! and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the ſlain of the daughter of my people! O that I had in the wilderneſs a lodging place of waifaring men! that I might leave my people and go from them. For they be all Adulterers an Aſsembly of treacherous men! Jer. 9.12.

2. That we are no more ſenſible of the Rod, nor bettered by it. This is the ſaddeſt judgment on this ſide Hell, to be given up to a hard heart, a ſpiritual Lethargy; When Calls and Promiſes and Threatnings and Judgments will not work, he hath but one way more, as to viſible means, to make work with a People: Ruine and Deſolation will make work, but ſad work! Hell and damnation will make work with the ſtubborneſt heart that ever ſinned againſt God. Ah ſinner! there is a Rod that will awaken thee; there are arrows that will pierce thee; there are flames that will warm thee; there are Fiends that wil ſurely daunt thee, and chains that shall bind thee to all eternity; there's a Diſcipline that shall tame …hee, as mad and as wild as thou art.

3. Laſtly, lament your poor Poſterities, who are like to inherit the curſe of our backſlidings. Methink it is a dreadful Text, Am. 4.2. The Lord God p. 288hath ſworn by his holineſs, and lo, the daies ſhall come upon you that he will take you away with hooks, and your Poſterity with fiſh-hooks. God is like to viſit the iniquities of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation. How may the generations to come ariſe and curſe us for ſinning away both the ſpiritual and temporal Priviledges they ſhould have enjoyed after us. God ſeems to threaten us as David devoteth his enemies Pſal. 109.10. Let his children be continually vagabounds and beg: let them ſeek their bread alſo out of their deſolate places. Oh Sirs! if your children are dear to you, conſult their peace and welfare: Provide the bleſſing, not the Curſe, for their Portion that God may yet ſay of us as once of Iſrael, Jer. 31.17. And there is hope in thine end, ſaith the Lord, that thy children ſhall come again to their own border. Even ſo Lord! Amen, and Amen!